Dizziness in adults with chronic otitis media at two otology referral centres in Colombia: a cross-sectional study in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dizziness and its associated factors in patients with COM at two otologic referral centres in a middle-income country. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Adults with and without COM diagnosis from two otology-referral centres in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Dizziness and quality of life were assessed using the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" (COMQ-12), and sociodemographic questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 231 adults. RESULTS: Of the 231 participants, up to 64.5% (n = 149) reported at least mild inconvenience due to dizziness. Factors associated with dizziness included female sex (aPR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.46), chronic suppurative otitis media (aPR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.21-7.52), and severe tinnitus (aPR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.24-2.48). An interaction was found between socioeconomic status and educational level, with more frequent reports of dizziness in the middle/high economic status and secondary education (aPR: 3.09; 95% CI: 0.52-18.55; p < 0.001). Differences of 14 points in symptom severity and 18.5 points in the total score of the COMQ-12 were found between the groups with dizziness and without dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Dizziness was frequent in patients with COM and was associated with severe tinnitus and quality of life deterioration.

Audiometric evaluation in different clinical presentations of otitis media.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the hearing thresholds in acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion and chronic otitis media (non-suppurative, non-cholesteatomatous suppurative and cholesteatomatous) and to compare the hearing outcomes with non-diseased ears (in bilateral cases) or contralateral healthy ears (in unilateral cases), since hearing loss is the most frequent sequel of otitis media and there is no previous study comparing the audiometric thresholds among the different forms of otitis media. METHODS: Cross sectional, controlled study. We performed conventional audiometry (500-8000Hz) and tympanometry in patients with otitis media and healthy individuals (control group). Hearing loss was considered when the hearing thresholds were > 25 dBHL. RESULTS: Of the 112 patients diagnosed with otitis media (151 ears), 48 were men (42.86%) and 64 were women (57.14%). The average age was 42.72 years. Of those, 25 (22.32%) were diagnosed as AOM, 15 (13.39%) were diagnosed with OME and the remaining 72 (63.28%) were diagnosed with COM (non-suppurative COM, n=31; suppurative COM, n=18; cholesteatomatous COM, n=23). As compared with controls, all forms of otitis media had significantly higher bone-conduction thresholds (500-4000Hz). Conductive hearing loss was the most frequent type of hearing loss (58.94%). However, the number of patients with mixed hearing loss was also relevant (39.07%). We noted that the presence of sensorioneural component occurred more frequently in 1) Higher frequencies; and 2) In groups of otitis media that were more active or severe in the inflammatory/infective standpoint (AOM, suppurative COM and cholesteatomatous COM). CONCLUSION: All types of otitis media, even those with infrequent episodes of inflammation and otorrhea, had worse bone conduction thresholds as compared with nondiseased ears (p<0.01). We observed worse hearing outcomes in ears with recurrent episodes of otorrhea and in ears with AOM, especially in high frequencies.

Analysis of tinnitus severity and associated factors in patients with chronic otitis media in a low- to middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the tinnitus severity in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) and describe the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with tinnitus severity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Two otology-referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Sociodemographic, clinical associated factors and quality of life questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: About 231 adults with COM. RESULTS: Up to 51.5% of the patients reported severe tinnitus discomfort, 21.7% moderate discomfort, and 26.8% minor discomfort. Factor associated with increased tinnitus severity in patients with COM were older age (aOR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), higher education (aOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.03-4.87), ear discharge during childhood (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02-3.45), cholesteatoma in one ear (aOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.05-4.88), and pure-tone air average over 15 dB (aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.28-3.36). Differences of 10-points in symptoms severity and 15-points in the total score of the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" were found between the tinnitus severity groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for further research on the associated factors of tinnitus severity on COM patients. COM patients with higher tinnitus severity presented worse audiometric results and worse quality of life outcomes.

Critical analysis of moderate and severe retractions in the pars tensa and pars flaccida of the tympanic membrane.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the prevalence of retractions in different areas of the Tympanic Membrane (TM), the correlations between the involvement of the Pars Tensa (PT) and Pars Flaccida (PF), and the air-bone gaps. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Patients with moderate and/or severe TM retraction of 2200 consecutive patients with chronic otitis media between August 2000 and January 2019 were included. Ears with previous surgery were excluded. Ears were classified as isolated PF and PT retractions and association of both. The degrees of severity and presence of effusion were evaluated. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software program. RESULTS: 661 ears were included. The prevalence of isolated atical retractions was 24.9%, of isolated posterior quadrants was 10.6%, and of association of quadrants was 64%. There was no correlation between the retractions in the different areas of the TM (posterior and attic quadrants: r = 0.13; p = 0.041; anterior and posterior quadrants: r = 0.23; p = 0.013, anterior and attic quadrants: r = 0.06; p = 0.043). Effusion was present in 30.7% of the ears. ABG median was lower in ears with PF retraction (6.25 dB HL) than PT retraction, isolated (15 dB HL) or not (13.75 dB HL; p < 0.05); 72% of the ears had an ABG ≤ 20 dB HL. For severity of the retraction of PF, the ABG was similar across groups. For the PT, there was a global difference in the medians of ABG in terms of the degree of severity, with a moderate correlation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of moderate and severe retractions was 24.5%; 64% of the ears had an association of affected regions. There was no correlation between the retraction in the different areas of the TM. We found a significant correlation between the severity of retraction and the worsening of ABG threshold, only for PT. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4.

Mastoiditis enmascarada: Reporte de caso en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad / Masked mastoiditis: case report in a high-complexity pediatric hospital

La mastoiditis enmascarada es una forma poco frecuente dentro de las complicaciones de las otitis medias, ya sean aguda o crónicas. Su principal característica es presentar poca o mínima sintomatología ótica y tener un curso larvado en el tiempo. Este diagnóstico debe ser correctamente sospechado, ya que eventualmente puede generar consecuencias otológicas graves y presentar complicaciones mayores a nivel intra o extratemporal. En este trabajo se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente pediátrica sana, a la cual se diagnostica mastoiditis enmascarada de tres meses de evolución complicada con absceso de Bezold. Se inicia desde el ingreso hospitalario esquema antibiótico bi-asociado y se realiza mastoidectomía simple, evolucionando de forma satisfactoria.

Masked mastoiditis is a rare complication of acute or chronic otitis media. Its main characteristic is to present little or minimal otic symptoms and has a slowly progressive course over time. This diagnosis must be suspected correctly because it can eventually generate serious otological consequences and present major complications at intra or extratemporal levels. We report the clinical case of a healthy pediatric patient, who was diagnosed with masked mastoiditis complicated with a Bezold's abscess. A bi-associated antibiotic scheme was started from admission and a timpanomastoidectomy was performed, with a satisfactory outcome.

Efecto de la otitis media en el desarrollo de la cognición y lenguaje infantil: una revisión narrativa de la literatura / Effect of otitis media on the development of childhood cognition and language: a narrative review of the literature

Resumen La otitis media constituye una de las consultas médicas más comunes en la población infantil. Se caracteriza por la inflamación del oído medio en presencia de exudado en la cavidad timpánica, abarcando un amplio espectro de formas clínicas, dentro de las que destacan la otitis media aguda, con efusión y crónica. La hipoacusia de conducción es una de las complicaciones de la otitis media, por lo que es lógico pensar que algunas habilidades del lenguaje y cognición infantil podrían verse afectadas secundariamente. Sin embargo, la evidencia en torno al tema no es concluyente y se aprecian opiniones contrapuestas; asimismo, no existe actualmente una revisión de la literatura que agrupe las investigaciones existentes en torno al tema. Por ello, el presente estudio pretende identificar y analizar la evidencia científica disponible sobre el efecto de la otitis media en el desarrollo de la cognición y lenguaje infantil. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura guiada por protocolo PRISMA en bases de datos de acuerdo a términos claves. Fueron analizados 8 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Los resultados recabados sugieren, por una parte, que la otitis media afecta el lenguaje en sus distintas dimensiones, el vocabulario comprensivo y la longitud media del enunciado; mientras que, por otra parte, no se encontró efecto directo de la otitis media o hipoacusia sobre la comprensión del lenguaje. Se concluye que las investigaciones analizadas presentan gran variabilidad de resultados y conclusiones. No existen reportes sobre su impacto en otros dominios de la cognición.

Abstract Otitis media is one of the most common medical consultations in children. It is characterized by inflammation of the middle ear in the presence of exudate in the tympanic cavity, covering a wide spectrum of clinical forms, among which acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion and chronic otitis media are the most outstanding. Conductive hearing loss is one of the complications of otitis media, so it is logical to think that some language and cognitive skills in children could be affected. However, the evidence on this matter is not conclusive and there are conflicting opinions; likewise, there is currently no review of the literature that compile the existing research on this topic. Therefore, the present study aims to identify and analyze the available scientific evidence on the effect of otitis media on the development of children's cognition and language. A review of the literature, guided by PRISMA protocol, was conducted in databases according to key terms. Eight articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The results suggest, on the one hand, that otitis media affects language in its different dimensions, comprehensive vocabulary and average sentence length; while on the other hand, no direct effect of otitis media or hearing loss on language comprehension was found. In is concluded that the research that were analyzed present great variability of results and conclusions. There are no reports on its impact on other domains of cognition.

Correlation between cow's milk protein allergy and otitis media: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence pertaining to the association between cow's milk protein allergy and recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. METHODS: The CENTRAL, Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, LILACS databases, and gray literature were searched. RESULTS: Four studies were included, identifying the prevalence rates: 0.2% of delayed speech due to chronic otitis media with effusion in 382 children with cow's milk protein allergy, 10.7% of cow's milk protein allergy in 242 children who underwent ENT procedures, 40% of cow's milk protein allergy in 25 children with recurrent otitis media with effusion and higher tendency to otitis media in children with cow's milk protein allergy of 186 children (1.5 + 0.6 vs. 0.4 + 0.1; p < 0.1). CONCLUSION: Considering the characteristics and methodological variations of the identified studies, it is not possible to state that there is reliable evidence of an association between cow's milk protein allergy and otitis media.

Evaluation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in patients with chronic otitis media.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, scientific evidence has shown that chronic otitis media may cause balance and vestibular dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of the video head impulse test (gain and symmetry of the vestibulo-ocular reflex and presence of covert and overt saccades) in patients with chronic otitis media and controls. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients with chronic otitis media (study group), aged between 18 and 60 years. The patients in the study group were further divided according to the chronic otitis media type as (1) non-suppurative, (2) suppurative, and (3) cholesteatomatous. For the comparative analysis, we selected volunteers with no history of ear and vestibular diseases (control group), who met the same inclusion and exclusion criteria as the study group. Patients in both groups underwent a video head impulse test. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 96 volunteers, and the control group of 61 individuals. The prevalence of vestibular symptoms was 66% in the study group and 3.2% in the control group (p <  0.001). The results show a higher prevalence of changes in the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain (22.9%) and corrective saccades (12.6%) in the chronic otitis media group compared to the control group (p <  0.001). Despite the higher prevalence of changes in gain, the average vestibulo-ocular reflex gains in the chronic otitis media groups were within the pre-defined values ​​of normality; however, the mean vestibulo-ocular reflex gain in the anterior semicircular canal was statistically worse in the cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media group compared to controls (p <  0.001). Regarding the corrective saccades, the prevalence of saccades was statistically higher in the suppurative and cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media subgroups compared to the non-suppurative and control groups (p =  0.004). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that chronic otitis media is associated with a higher prevalence of vestibular symptoms and also a higher prevalence of changes in gain and corrective saccades when compared to controls.

Cranial complications of otitis media with paralysis of the contralateral sixth cranial pair in pediatrics / [Complicaciones de la otitis media con parálisis del sexto par craneal contralateral en pediatría].

Otitis media is a frequent infection during childhood. Complications may be present in up to 4 of 100 children including serious neurological complications, particularly in developing countries. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl with no disease history who presented with otitis media, otorrhea, intracranial hypertension syndrome, and paralysis of the VI cranial nerve contralateral to the lesion. A computed tomography scan of the skull and a brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed chronic otomastoiditis, petrous apicitis, and thrombosis of the transverse and sigmoid sinus, the jugular bulb, and the right internal jugular vein. She received antibiotics and surgical treatment. This case shows the spectrum of intra and extracranial complications associated with acute otitis media in the antibiotic era. The physical examination allows early identification of intracranial hypertension with signs such as papilledema and sixth contralateral nerve palsy as an unusual finding.

La otitis media es una infección frecuente en la infancia, la cual puede producir complicaciones, incluidas las neurológicas graves, en cuatro de cada 100 niños en países en desarrollo. Se presenta el caso de una niña de nueve años sin antecedentes de enfermedad que consultó por otitis media derecha, otorrea, síndrome de hipertensión intracraneal y parálisis del VI nervio craneal contralateral a la lesión. La tomografía computarizada de cráneo y la resonancia magnética cerebral revelaron otomastoiditis crónica, apicitis petrosa, y rombosis de los senos transverso y sigmoide, el bulbo yugular y la vena yugular interna derecha. Recibió tratamiento antibiótico y quirúrgico. Este caso refleja el espectro de complicaciones intracraneales y extracraneales asociadas con la otitis media aguda en la era antibiótica. El examen físico permite la detección precoz de la hipertensión intracraneal, con signos como el papiledema y la parálisis del VI par contralateral como hallazgo inusual.

Sensorineural hearing loss in the acute phase of a single episode of acute otitis media / Perda auditiva neurossensorial no início de um único episódio de otite média aguda

Abstract Introduction: Acute otitis media is a disease with high global prevalence, that can lead to several acute complications and auditory sequelae. Data regarding the auditory evaluation in the acute phase of acute otitis media are scarce. Objective: To evaluate the main audiometric changes (air and bone conduction thresholds) in the initial phase of an acute otitis media episode. Methods: A case-control study was performed. Patients diagnosed with acute otitis media with less than 7 days of evolution in relation to the complaint onset were selected, and healthy volunteers were selected as controls. The acute otitis media and control groups were submitted to pure tone and vocal audiometry. Results: The acute otitis media group included a total of 27 patients (30 ears). Hearing loss was present in 90.0% of the ears with acute otitis media, with conductive loss in 14 (46.67%) and mixed loss in 13 (43.33%). Both the air and bone conduction thresholds obtained with the tonal audiometry in the acute otitis media group were significantly worse than the controls at all tested frequencies (p< 0.05). In patients with acute otitis media, we observed that the thresholds for frequency >1 kHz (bone conduction) and 3 kHz (air conduction) were significantly worse in patients with tinnitus compared to patients without tinnitus. Conclusion: During the first 7 days of evolution after the onset of an isolated episode of acute otitis media, we observed significant increases in bone and air thresholds at all frequencies, especially >2 kHz, compared to healthy ears.

Resumo Introdução: A otite média aguda é uma doença de elevada incidência global, que pode levar a diversas complicações agudas e sequelas auditivas. Dados referentes à avaliação auditiva na fase aguda da otite média aguda são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar as principais alterações audiométricas (limiares em via aérea e óssea) na fase inicial de um episódio de otite média aguda. Método: Realizou-se estudo de caso-controle. Selecionamos pacientes com diagnóstico de otite média aguda, com menos de sete dias de evolução em relação ao início das queixas, e voluntários saudáveis foram selecionados como controles. Os grupos otite média aguda e controle foram submetidos a audiometria tonal, vocal e audiometria. Resultados: O grupo otite média aguda incluiu 27 pacientes (30 orelhas). Observou-se presença de perda auditiva em 90% das orelhas com otite média aguda, condutiva em 14 (46,67%) e mista em 13 (43,33%). Tanto os limiares auditivos por via aérea quanto os limiares por via óssea obtidos com audiometria tonal do grupo otite média aguda eram significativamente piores em relação aos controles, em todas as frequências testadas (p < 0,05). Em pacientes com otite média aguda, observamos que os limiares das frequências acima de 1 kHz (via óssea) e 3 kHz (via aérea) eram significantemente piores entre pacientes com zumbido em comparação a pacientes sem zumbido. Conclusão: Nos primeiros sete dias de evolução do quadro inicial de um episódio isolado de otite média aguda, observamos aumentos significativos dos limiares ósseos e aéreos em todas as frequências, principalmente nas acima de 2 kHz, em comparação a orelhas sadias.

Adaptation and validation of the chronic otitis media questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12) in the Mexican Spanish language (COMQ-12-Mx).

Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12) is a specific-disease tool that evaluates COM patients.Objective: To validate COMQ-12 in the Mexican Spanish language (COMQ-12-Mx).Materials and methods: Mexican Spanish-speaking healthy volunteers and COM patients who attended a Secondary Care Center from May 2019 to October 2019. The COMQ-12 in Mexican Spanish was obtained by translation and back translation from an English-Spanish translator. All participants completed the COMQ-12-Mx questionnaire. COM patients were included regardless of their COM status. Control group completed the questionnaire twice. Participants were categorized into three groups: group 1 (COM), group 2 (volunteers first test) and group 3 (volunteers retest). Cronbach's alpha was used for internal consistency, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used for test-retest reliability and Mann-Whitney U test compared groups.Results: We included 78 Mexican Spanish-speaking participants (COM n = 37, healthy volunteers n = 41), 51 females and 27 males, mean age was 39.67 years (SD ± 18.32). Group 1 COMQ-12-Mx score was 22.108 ± 11.79, group 2 score was 3.561 ± 4.399 (p ≤ .001) and group 3 score was 3.683 ± 4.435. Cronbach's alpha was 0.828 and test-retest reliability achieved a 0.928 outcome.Conclusions: COMQ-12-Mx is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate quality life in Mexican Spanish-speaking patients with COM.

Osteomielitis cervical asociada a otitis crónica. Presentación de un caso / Cervical osteomyelitis associated with chronic otitis. A case report

Introducción : La osteomielitis es la infección de estructuras óseas ya sea por inoculación directa a través de heridas, por vía hematógena a través de focos distantes o por contigüidad con estructuras vecinas como los oídos. Objetivo: Reportar un caso que demuestra la necesidad de seguimiento de las otitis medias con vistas a evitar recurrencias y complicaciones. Presentación del Caso: Paciente femenina, de 62 años de edad, tez blanca y ama de casa de la localidad de Baracoa, provincia Guantánamo, Cuba. Con antecedentes de otitis de un año de evolución que desarrolló osteomielitis crónica cervical y un cuadro neurológico caracterizado por cuadriparesia y dificultad para la acción asociado a la osteomielitis cervical. Se trató con vancomicina y levofloxacino durante 6 semanas y oxigenación hiperbárica con lo cual egresó totalmente rehabilitada. Conclusiones: El manejo inadecuado de la otitis puede desencadenar complicaciones graves y poco frecuentes como la osteomielitis cervical tal y como se presenta en este caso(AU)

Introduction: Osteomyelitis is the infection of the osseous structures associated with the direct inoculation of microorganisms through wounds, hematogenous route from distant focus of infection or the contiguity with neighboring structures like the ears. Objective: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the need for medical follow-up of otitis media in order to avoid recurrence and complications of this disease. Case presentation: Sixty-two-year-old white woman, housewife, from Baracoa, Guantanamo Province, Cuba. The patient had antecedents of one-year history of otitis media. She developed cervical chronic osteomyelitis and a neurological picture that was characterized by quadriparesis and difficulty to carry out actions, which was associated with cervical osteomyelitis. She was treated with Vancomycin and Levofloxacin during 6 months and hyperbaric oxygenation that helped her to be totally recovered after discharge from hospital. Conclusions: Inadequate treatment of otitis can cause very serious and less frequent complications such as cervical osteomyelitis, as it is presented in this case(AU)

Luc's Abscess and Temporomandibular Joint Septic Arthritis: Two Rare Sequelae of Acute Otitis Media.

A 5-year-old previously healthy child presented with right-sided otalgia, right facial and temporal swelling, and right jaw pain in the setting of 6 days of low-grade fever. The child had no trauma, vomiting, or prior dental treatments. On physical examination, the patient had facial swelling, erythema, and tenderness over the right temporal region along with trismus, as well as pain on palpation of the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A computed tomography scan revealed otitis media, Luc's abscess, and TMJ septic arthritis requiring surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotics. The patient responded well to treatment and recovered without sequelae. Dr. Cardwell Luc first described Luc's abscess in 1913 as a rare complication of middle ear infection leading to an abscess in the infratemporal space. To our knowledge, our case is the first documented case of concurrent Luc's abscess and TMJ septic arthritis in a previously healthy child as complications of acute otitis media. This case highlights 2 rare complications of a common medical condition that pediatric emergency care providers should recognize due to the need for surgical intervention, without which there may be longstanding sequelae.

Sensorineural hearing loss in the acute phase of a single episode of acute otitis media.

INTRODUCTION: Acute otitis media is a disease with high global prevalence, that can lead to several acute complications and auditory sequelae. Data regarding the auditory evaluation in the acute phase of acute otitis media are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the main audiometric changes (air and bone conduction thresholds) in the initial phase of an acute otitis media episode. METHODS: A case-control study was performed. Patients diagnosed with acute otitis media with less than 7 days of evolution in relation to the complaint onset were selected, and healthy volunteers were selected as controls. The acute otitis media and control groups were submitted to pure tone and vocal audiometry. RESULTS: The acute otitis media group included a total of 27 patients (30 ears). Hearing loss was present in 90.0% of the ears with acute otitis media, with conductive loss in 14 (46.67%) and mixed loss in 13 (43.33%). Both the air and bone conduction thresholds obtained with the tonal audiometry in the acute otitis media group were significantly worse than the controls at all tested frequencies (p < 0.05). In patients with acute otitis media, we observed that the thresholds for frequency >1 kHz (bone conduction) and 3 kHz (air conduction) were significantly worse in patients with tinnitus compared to patients without tinnitus. CONCLUSION: During the first 7 days of evolution after the onset of an isolated episode of acute otitis media, we observed significant increases in bone and air thresholds at all frequencies, especially >2 kHz, compared to healthy ears.

Therapeutic approach to pediatric acute mastoiditis - an update / Abordagem terapêutica da mastoidite aguda pediátrica - uma atualização

Abstract Introduction: Acute mastoiditis remains the most common complication of acute otitis media. It may rarely appear also in cochlear implant patients. However, the treatment recommendations for this disease are not precisely defined or employed, and in the current literature the differences regarding both the diagnosis and management are relatively substantial. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine a standard and safe procedure to be applied in case of pediatric acute mastoiditis. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 73 patients with 83 episodes of acute mastoiditis hospitalized at our tertiary-care center between 2001 and 2016 was conducted. Bacteriology, methods of treatment, hospital course, complications, and otologic history were analyzed. Based on our experience and literature data, a protocol was established in order to standardize management of pediatric acute mastoiditis. Results: All the patients treated for acute mastoiditis were submitted to an intravenous antibiotic regimen. In the analyzed group pharmacological treatment only was applied in 11% of children, in 12% myringotomy/tympanostomy was added, and in the vast majority of patients (77%) mastoidectomy was performed. In our study recurrent mastoiditis was noted in 8% of the patients. We also experienced acute mastoiditis in a cochlear implant child, and in this case, a minimal surgical procedure, in order to protect the device, was recommended. Conclusions: The main points of the management protocol are: initiate a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment; mastoidectomy should be performed if the infection fails to be controlled after 48 h of administering intravenous antibiotic therapy. We believe that early mastoidectomy prevents serious complications, and our initial observation is that by performing broad mastoidectomy with posterior attic and facial recess exposure, recurrence of acute mastoiditis can be prevented.

Resumo Introdução: A mastoidite aguda continua a ser a complicação mais comum da otite média aguda. Pode ocorrer também, embora raramente, em pacientes com implante coclear. Entretanto, as recomendações de tratamento para essa doença não são bem definidas ou usadas e, na literatura corrente, as diferenças em relação ao diagnóstico e ao manejo são relativamente significativas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar um procedimento padrão e seguro a ser aplicado em caso de mastoidite aguda pediátrica. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de 73 pacientes com 83 episó-dios de mastoidite aguda hospitalizados em nosso centro terciário entre os anos de 2001 a 2016. Foram analisados a bacteriologia, métodos de tratamento, evolução hospitalar, complicações e histórico otológico. Com base em nossa experiência e dados da literatura, foi estabelecido um protocolo para padronizar o tratamento da mastoidite aguda pediátrica. Resultados: Todos os pacientes tratados para mastoidite aguda foram submetidos a antibioticoterapia endovenosa. No grupo analisado, o tratamento farmacológico só foi aplicado em 11% das crianças, em 12% a miringotomia/timpanostomia foi adicionada e na maior parte dos pacientes (77%) foi feita a mastoidectomia. Em nosso estudo, mastoidite recorrente foi observada em 8% dos pacientes. Também observamos mastoidite aguda em criança usuária de implante coclear e, nesse caso, foi recomendada a minimização de procedimentos cirúrgicos, a fim de proteger o dispositivo. Conclusões: Os principais pontos do protocolo de conduta são: iniciar um tratamento antibiótico endovenoso de amplo espectro; a mastoidectomia deve ser feita caso a infecção não seja controlada após 48 horas da administração de antibioticoterapia intravenosa. Acreditamos que a mastoidectomia precoce previne complicações graves e nossa observação inicial é que, com uma mastoidectomia ampla com exposição do ático posterior e do recesso facial, a recorrência de mastoidite aguda pode ser evitada.

Chemically Assisted Dissection With Sodium 2-Mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA) in the Surgical Management of Pediatric Cholesteatoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the chemically assisted dissection with sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA), in the reduction of residual and recurrent cholesteatoma after mastoidectomy in children with chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media (CCOM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. POPULATION: One hundred forty mastoidectomies performed in patients under 18 years of age for the treatment of CCOM. INTERVENTIONS: Chemically assisted dissection (CAD) with MESNA compared with surgical dissection without MESNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recidivism of cholesteatoma (recurrence and residual disease), variations in the average of bone conduction threshold after treatment, and complications. RESULTS: Recidivism of cholesteatoma was significantly lower when CAD with MESNA was used (p < 0.0001). No difference was found in the mean variation of the average of bone conduction thresholds between the groups, confirming its safety profile regarding auditory function. Meatoplasty stenosis after surgery was more prevalent within CAD with MESNA group (p: 0.049). CONCLUSION: Recurrent and residual cholesteatoma remains a problem, especially in children and despite surgical techniques such as canal wall down mastoidectomy and endoscopic ear surgery. CAD with MESNA can be safe and effective to reduce recurrence rates. Multicenter and prospective studies with larger number of patients are needed to validate these findings. The higher rate of meatoplasty stenosis after CAD with MESNA merits additional clinical research to confirm these findings, as well as in vitro studies evaluating the effect of the drug on the activity of fibroblasts and other growth factors that may be involved.

Otitis Media: Long-Term Effect on Central Auditory Nervous System.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the central auditory nervous system function through behavioral and electrophysiological tests in children with a history of otitis media and subsequent bilateral tubes placement surgery. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups between eight and 14 years old: control group (CG) consisted of 40 children with no history of otitis media; experimental group (EG) consisted of 50 children with documented history of otitis media and undertook a surgery for bilateral tubes placement. All children completed audiological evaluation (audiometry, speech audiometry, and immittance audiometry), behavioral evaluation (tests: dichotic digits, synthetic sentence identification with ipsilateral competing message, gaps-in-noise, frequency pattern), and electrophysiological evaluation (Auditory Brainstem Response, ABR, Frequency Following Response, FFR (verbal), and Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential, LLAEP). RESULTS: The EG group showed significantly poorer performance (p<0.001) than the CG for all auditory abilities studied. The results revealed significant latency delays and reduced amplitude (p<0.05) of waves III and V for ABR; significant latency delay was seen of potentials P2, N2, and P300 for LLAEP; significant latency delays and reduced amplitude (p<0.05) were observed for FFR in children with a history of otitis media. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate negative effect of otitis media in the auditory abilities and electrophysiological measures in children with a history of otitis media.

Hipoacusia neurosensorial adquirida asociada a alteraciones vestibulares y / o control postural / Neurosensorial acquired hypoacusia associated with vestibular alterations and / or postural control

La otitis media aguda es una infección del oído medio con alta prevalencia en población pediátrica, las complicaciones pueden generar desde hipoacusia neurosensorial de diverso grado hasta alteración vestibular y/o control postural, aunque de ello no existen mayores reportes ni investigaciones en Chile. Por lo anterior, el objetivo fue asociar la hipoacusia neurosensorial a alteraciones vestibulares y/o de control postural. Se evaluó a un sujeto de sexo femenino, 13 años de edad, quien presentó múltiples cuadros de Otitis Media Aguda y fue diagnosticada con hipoacusia neurosensorial bilateral grado moderado. Antes del estudio, reportó desequilibrio y aumento de riesgo de caída. Se aplicaron test auditivos (timpanometría y audiometría), vestibulares (evaluación del VIII par craneal) y de control postural (posturógrafo y tests "Time up and go", Romberg y Romberg en tándem). Se encontraron alteradas la prueba de integración sensorial, con predominancia del hemicuerpo derecho, igualmente predominancia a alteraciones auditivas en el oído derecho ante pruebas que valoraron oído medio. Se observó una relación directa entre las alteraciones posturales y de equilibrio con el tipo y grado de pérdida auditiva que presenta el sujeto de estudio.

The acute otitis media is a middle ear infection with high prevalence in pediatric population, the complications could generate from sensorineural hearing loss to vestibular alteration and/or postural control, although, there aren´t report or researches of it in Chile. Therefore, the objective was to associate sensorineural hearing loss with vestibular alterations and/or postural control. We evaluated a female subject presenting multiple events of acute otitis media and she was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss middle grade. Before this study, she reported imbalance and falling risk. Hearing (tympanometry and audiometry), vestibular (evaluation of the VIII cranial nerve) and postural control tests were applied (posturography and "Time up and go", Romberg and Romberg in tandem test). It was found altered the integration sensorial test, with predominance to half body right and predominance of hearing impairment in the right ear to the middle ear evaluated evidence. It was observed a direct relation between postural alterations and balance with the hearing loss type from the subject of study.

Therapeutic approach to pediatric acute mastoiditis - an update.

INTRODUCTION: Acute mastoiditis remains the most common complication of acute otitis media. It may rarely appear also in cochlear implant patients. However, the treatment recommendations for this disease are not precisely defined or employed, and in the current literature the differences regarding both the diagnosis and management are relatively substantial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine a standard and safe procedure to be applied in case of pediatric acute mastoiditis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 73 patients with 83 episodes of acute mastoiditis hospitalized at our tertiary-care center between 2001 and 2016 was conducted. Bacteriology, methods of treatment, hospital course, complications, and otologic history were analyzed. Based on our experience and literature data, a protocol was established in order to standardize management of pediatric acute mastoiditis. RESULTS: All the patients treated for acute mastoiditis were submitted to an intravenous antibiotic regimen. In the analyzed group pharmacological treatment only was applied in 11% of children, in 12% myringotomy/tympanostomy was added, and in the vast majority of patients (77%) mastoidectomy was performed. In our study recurrent mastoiditis was noted in 8% of the patients. We also experienced acute mastoiditis in a cochlear implant child, and in this case, a minimal surgical procedure, in order to protect the device, was recommended. CONCLUSIONS: The main points of the management protocol are: initiate a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment; mastoidectomy should be performed if the infection fails to be controlled after 48h of administering intravenous antibiotic therapy. We believe that early mastoidectomy prevents serious complications, and our initial observation is that by performing broad mastoidectomy with posterior attic and facial recess exposure, recurrence of acute mastoiditis can be prevented.

Otogenic Lateral Sinus Thrombosis: A Review of Fifteen Patients and Changing Trends in the Management

Abstract Introduction Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare intracranial complication of otitis media in the modern age of antibiotic treatment, but it is potentially a dangerous complication. Objectives The aim of this study is to focus on the various clinical presentations, management options and sequelae in a series of fifteen patients with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis. Methods Retrospective chart review of inpatients treated for otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis at our tertiary care institution between 2010 and 2015. Results A total of 15 patients (11 males and 4 females) with ages ranging from 9 to 60 years were diagnosed with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis. The most commonly reported symptoms were headache, ear discharge and hard of hearing, which were experienced by all 15 (100%) patients. In contrast to previous studies found in the literature, 7 (47%) patients in our series presented with neck pain and neck abscess. Imaging studies and microbiological cultures were performed for all patients, who also underwent a mastoidectomy procedure. Internal jugular vein ligation was performed on 5 (33%) patients. Incision and drainage of the neck abscess was performed on 7 (47%) patients. All patients had a satisfactory resolution of their symptoms, and the mortality rate was of 0%. Conclusions Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis, though a rare complication, can still occur; therefore, keeping a high level of suspicion is important, especially in developing countries. We also describe the patients with neck abscess associated with this rare condition. Combining parenteral antibiotics with surgical intervention is the treatment of choice.