IgG4-Related Disease of Temporal Bone Presenting as Unilateral Mastoiditis and Cerebral Thrombosis in a 22-Year-Old Man.

BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and manifest itself as a mass at any region of the body. Due to its several differential diagnoses, investigation and treatment are still challenging. Therefore, imaging, serology, and histopathology are required to confirm the diagnosis. The involvement of the temporal bone is an uncommon presentation, often mistaken for malignancy, with vague symptoms. Therefore, we present a 22-year-old Brazilian man, diagnosed with IgG4-related disease, manifesting with unilateral mastoiditis, sensorineural hearing loss, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and a mass in the left temporal bone. CASE REPORT A 22-year-old Brazilian male patient first presented with coughing and precordialgia. Chest scans showed pleural effusion and diffuse areas of ground-glass opacity. A year later, the patient developed severe headache, along with aural fullness, facial pressure, and otorrhea. Imaging detected cerebral thrombosis with failure in the filling of the transverse and left sigmoid sinuses and pachymeningeal thickening in the right cerebral hemisphere, with contrast enhancement. Pure tone audiometry showed thresholds consistent with severe sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear. The patient underwent mastoidectomy with removal of large amounts of inflammatory tissue that were sent to histopathological analysis with compatible signs of IgG4-RD. Corticosteroids and rituximab completed the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Early recognition and appropriate treatment of IgG4-RD are imperative to avoid complications and serious irreversible organ damage. This report has presented an atypical case of IgG4-RD of the left temporal bone that was diagnosed and managed according to current guidelines.

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.

Suboccipital extracranial and intracranial abscess of a neonate: an exceedingly rare occurrence.

Intracranial abscess is a life-threatening disease that is uncommon in paediatric populations. Although there have been few reports in the literature, some aetiologies, such as mastoiditis and sinusitis, have been proposed. The pathophysiology is not completely known, and there are no data regarding the long-term follow-up of these patients. Herein, we present a case of a newborn affected with a mass in the suboccipital region due to an extracranial and intracranial abscess that had no clear association with infections except for a transient fever episode 1 month earlier. Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from an open-surgery sample identified the cause of the mass. The patient achieved excellent recovery with no recurrence even after 8 years of follow-up. To our knowledge, this rare pattern of infection highlights the importance of early diagnosis in combination with a surgical approach as an effective diagnosis and treatment approach that provided a good outcome.

Impact of social distancing in response to COVID-19 on hospitalizations for laryngitis, tracheitis, otitis media, and mastoiditis in children aged 0 to 9 years in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of social distancing resulting from COVID-19 in hospitalizations for infections of the upper airways (URTI), such as acute laryngitis, tracheitis, and otitis media in children aged 0 to 9 years in Brazil, considering that they share the same forms of transmission. METHODS: Data on hospitalizations for acute airway changes and their complications in children <9 years old were obtained from the Database of the Brazilian Department of Public Health Informatics for the period 2015 to 2020. These data were also analyzed by macroregions of Brazil (North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Midwest). The effect of the social distancing strategy on the increase of acute laryngitis, tracheitis, otitis media, and mastitis, as absolute and relative reductions, was calculated by analyzing the annual calculation of 2015-2019 vs 2020. RESULTS: All the hospitalizations compared in the Unified Health System (SUS) for laryngitis and acute tracheitis and otitis media decreased, considering all states of Brazil. The largest reduction in hospitalization reduction was in the North, with -94% in 2015-2019 vs 2020 in cases of laryngitis and acute tracheitis, and in the Midwest, with - 85% in 2015-2019 vs 2020 in cases of otitis media. CONCLUSION: Hospitalizations for laryngitis, acute tracheitis, and acute otitis media in children <9 years old decreased between March and July 2020 in Brazil, when social distancing measures were adopted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Síndrome de Lemierre / Lemierre's Syndrome

Paciente masculino de 32 años de edad sin comorbilidades, acude a servicio de urgencias con cuadro clínico caracterizado por dolor en región cervical anterior, tos con expectoración de color marrón de mal olor y dolor torácico. Refiere como antecedente, diagnóstico de faringoamigdalitis hace un mes, para el cual recibió tratamiento antibiótico intramuscular que no especifica. Al examen físico presenta masa palpable a nivel de región cervical anterior, dolor a la palpación torácica en séptimo espacio intercostal izquierdo. A la auscultación frote pericárdico, murmullo vesicular bilateral disminuido y frote pleural. Los estudios de laboratorio demostraron leucocitosis (17230 k/ul), neutrofilia (79,25%), anemia leve (Hb 11 g/dl, Hcto 35,5%). La tomografía computarizada contrastada de tórax, demostró presencia de edema y líquido en los tejidos blandos superficiales anteriores infrahioideos del cuello por encima de la horquilla esternal, y, en la fase contrastada trombosis de la vena yugular interna izquierda

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

Resumen. 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 trombosis 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.

Abstract. 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.

Actinomicosis en el hueso temporal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico / Actinomycosis in temporal bone. A pediatric case report

La actinomicosis es una infección causada por un bacilo anaerobio Gram-positivo, filamentoso, ramificado, no esporulado. Integra la flora habitual de la orofaringe y coloniza transitoriamente el tracto gastrointestinal, genital femenino y el árbol bronquial. Es poco frecuente en el hueso temporal. Por su semejanza a un hongo, es difícil su reconocimiento, lo que hace necesaria la sospecha clínica para obtener los cultivos apropiados en condiciones anaeróbicas en forma prolongada. Los hallazgos microscópicos típicos incluyen necrosis con gránulos de azufre amarillento y la presencia de filamentos que se asemejan a infecciones fúngicas. El tratamiento requiere de elevadas y prolongadas dosis de antibiótico con penicilina o amoxicilina, entre 6 y 12 meses. La duración de la terapia antimicrobiana podría ser reducida en pacientes que han sido operados quirúrgicamente. Se presenta, a continuación, un caso clínico de actinomicosis en el hueso temporal en un paciente pediátrico que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico para su resolución.

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by a Gram-positive, filamentous anaerobic bacillus. Mainly belonging to the human commensal flora of the oropharynx, it normally colonizes the human digestive and genital tracts and the bronchial tree. It is slightly frequent in the temporal bone. Bacterial cultures and pathology are the cornerstone of diagnosis, but particular conditions are required in order to get the correct diagnosis. Prolonged bacterial cultures in anaerobic conditions are necessary to identify the bacterium and typical microscopic findings include necrosis with yellowish sulfur granules and filamentous Gram-positive fungal-like pathogens. Patients with actinomycosis require prolonged (6- to 12-month) high doses of penicillin G or amoxicillin, but the duration of antimicrobial therapy could probably be shortened in patients in whom optimal surgical resection of infected tissues has been performed. A pediatric patient with actinomycosis in temporal bone who needed surgery resolution is reported.

Mastoiditis aguda con complicación intracraneal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico / Acute mastoiditis with intracranial complication in a pediatric patient

La mastoiditis aguda es una infección de las celdillas mastoideas, generalmente, secundaria a la progresión de una otitis media aguda. Las bacterias aisladas con más frecuencia en las mastoiditis son Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes y Staphylococcus aureus. La infección mastoidea puede extenderse por contigüidad, afectar a estructuras vecinas y dar lugar a complicaciones intra- o extracraneales. Las más frecuentes son las intracraneales, entre las que se incluyen la meningitis, el absceso cerebeloso o del lóbulo temporal, el absceso epi- o subdural y la trombosis de senos venosos.Se presenta el caso de una niña de 4 años que desarrolló dos complicaciones intracraneales (absceso epidural y trombosis de senos venosos transverso y sigmoideo) a partir de una mastoiditis aguda producida por Streptococus pyogenes

Acute mastoiditis is an infection that affects the mastoid air-cell system, usually due to the progression of an acute otitis media. The bacteria most frequently isolated in acute mastoiditis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The mastoid infection can extend affecting contiguous structures and producing intra or extracranial complications. The most frequent ones are intracranial complications, including meningitis, temporal lobe or cerebellar abscess, epidural or subdural abscess and venous sinus thrombosis.We present the case of a 4-year-old girl who developed two intracranial complications (intracranial epidural abscess and transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis) initiated in an acute mastoiditis produced by Streptococcus pyogenes.

[Acute mastoiditis with intracranial complication in a pediatric patient]. / Mastoiditis aguda con complicación intracraneal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico.

Acute mastoiditis is an infection that affects the mastoid air-cell system, usually due to the progression of an acute otitis media. The bacteria most frequently isolated in acute mastoiditis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The mastoid infection can extend affecting contiguous structures and producing intra or extracranial complications. The most frequent ones are intracranial complications, including meningitis, temporal lobe or cerebellar abscess, epidural or subdural abscess and venous sinus thrombosis. We present the case of a 4-year-old girl who developed two intracranial complications (intracranial epidural abscess and transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis) initiated in an acute mastoiditis produced by Streptococcus pyogenes.

La mastoiditis aguda es una infección de las celdillas mastoideas, generalmente, secundaria a la progresión de una otitis media aguda. Las bacterias aisladas con más frecuencia en las mastoiditis son Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes y Staphylococcus aureus. La infección mastoidea puede extenderse por contigüidad, afectar a estructuras vecinas y dar lugar a complicaciones intra- o extracraneales. Las más frecuentes son las intracraneales, entre las que se incluyen la meningitis, el absceso cerebeloso o del lóbulo temporal, el absceso epi- o subdural y la trombosis de senos venosos. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 4 años que desarrolló dos complicaciones intracraneales (absceso epidural y trombosis de senos venosos transverso y sigmoideo) a partir de una mastoiditis aguda producida por Streptococus pyogenes.

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.

Otomastoiditis por mycobacterium tuberculosis: un diagnóstico desafiante / Tuberculous otomastoiditis: a challenging diagnosis

RESUMEN La otomastoiditis tuberculosa es una presentación extremadamente rara de la forma extrapulmonar de la enfermedad y puede ser difícil llegar a su diagnóstico. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 35 años con otomastoiditis tuberculosa bilateral acompañado de vértigo, hipoacusia mixta bilateral y paresia del nervio facial bilateral, como debut de una tuberculosis. Cultivos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) y prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) de otorrea fueron inicialmente negativos. La tomografía computarizada de oídos y resonancia magnética mostraron cambios inflamatorios otomastoídeos bilaterales sin evidencia de erosión ósea ni extensión a partes blandas. Se realizó una mastoidotomía, las muestras del tejido obtenido evidenciaron osteomielitis crónica, bacterias ácido-alcohol resistentes y PCR positiva para MTB. La paciente recibió tratamiento con drogas antituberculosas durante 12 meses logrando una recuperación completa de la otalgia y vértigo, y mejoría parcial de audición y paresia facial. En resumen, los hallazgos clínicos e imagenológicos de la otomastoiditis tuberculosa son inespecíficos por lo cual se requiere de un alto índice de sospecha clínica para lograr el diagnóstico adecuado e iniciar el tratamiento de la infección subyacente.

ABSTRACT Tuberculous otomastoiditis is an extremely rare form of extrapulmonary disease that can be easily misdiagnosed. We hereby report the case of a previously healthy 35-yearold female with bilateral tuberculous otomastoiditis associated with vertigo, bilateral mixed hearing loss, and bilateral facial nerve palsy as the initial clinical presentation. Repeated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) culture and molecular testing of otorrhea aspirates were initially negative. High-resolution temporal bone computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed partial opacification of the mastoid air cells without signs of bone erosion. A mastoidotomy was performed with mastoid tissue showing chronic osteomyelitis, positivity in acid-fast staining and MTB PCR. The patient was treated with a 12 month antituberculous treatment, with complete recovery of otalgia and vertigo, and improvement in hearing levels and facial nerve palsy. In summary, clinical and imaging findings for tuberculous otomastoiditis are non-specific, hence a high degree of suspicion is required in order to diagnose and promptly treat the underlying infection.

Otitis media and mastoiditis in temporal bones of prehistoric Chilean populations. A paleopathological and paleoepidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates otitis media in prehistoric populations in northern Chile. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: Determining prevalence of otitis media and diagnostic usefulness of temporal-bone X-rays in skulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 444 skulls belonging to three groups: prehistoric-coastal (400-1000 AD), prehistoric-highland (400-1000 AD) and Pisagua-Regional Developments (1000-1450 AD). Skulls were evaluated visually and with Schuller's view X-rays. Five skulls diagnosed as having had otitis media, five diagnosed as normal, and one with temporal bone fistula also had a computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Changes suggestive of otitis media were present in Prehistoric-coastal 53.57%; Pisagua-Regional Developments 70.73%; prehistoric-highlands 47.90%. Diagnostic effectiveness of Schuller's view X-rays for assesing middle ear disease was confirmed by CT studies. The case with temporal bone fistula had changes suggestive of mastoiditis and possible post auricular abscess. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of otitis media in prehistoric populations in Chile. The higher prevalence in one group was presumably due to racial factors. Temporal-bone X-rays are effective for massive evaluation of ear disease in skulls. A case of mastoiditis with temporal bone fistula and possible post-auricular abscess is documented. SIGNIFICANCE: Documenting racial factors in otitis media. Validating X-rays for massive evaluation of otitis media in skulls.

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.

Influencia terapeútica en la evolución de la otitis media aguda / Therapeutic influence on the evolution of acute otitis media

Introducción: La otitis media aguda (OMA) es una de las infecciones más comunes y primera causa de administración de antibioterapia en la infancia. En ocasiones pueden tener una evolución tórpida y dar lugar a complicaciones, siendo la mastoidi-tis aguda la más frecuente. Según algunos estudios se está produciendo un aumento en la incidencia de esta patología y de su gravedad, sin saberse claramente su causa.Métodos: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes ingresados en el Hospital Virgen de la Salud de Toledo, durante un periodo de 64 meses, de 2012 a 2017. Los criterios de inclusión fueron pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con mastoiditis aguda y/o complicaciones derivadas de ésta. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 22 pacientes con mastoiditis aguda, correspondiendo a una media anual de 4,125 casos/año. El 63,63% de los casos tenían entre 0-2 años. Sólo el 50% de los casos recibieron antibioterapia oral, antes del ingreso hospitalario. Se aisló el germen en el 60% de los casos, siendo el Streptococcus pneumoniae el causante más frecuente. Se detectaron un total de 4 casos de mastoiditis complicada suponiendo el 18,18% de los pacientes; todos fueron varones, y ninguno tenía supuración espontánea a su llegada a Urgencias. Conclusiones: El uso de antibioterapia oral para el tratamiento de la OMA no ha demostrado que disminuya la incidencia de mastoiditis aguda. Sin embargo, es posible que las complicaciones derivadas de una OMA con evolución tórpida sean más graves cuando no se ha empleado antibiótico sistémico para el tratamiento de la OMA.

Introduction: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common infections and the first cause of administration of antibiotic therapy in childhood. Sometimes they may have a torpid evolution and lead to complications, such as acute mastoiditis more frequently. According to some studies, there is an increase its incidence and severity, but its cause has not been well understood. Methods: A retrospective study was performed, including the patients who were admitted to the Virgen de la Salud Hospital of Toledo, during a period of 64 months, from 2012 to 2017. The inclusion criteria were patients who were diagnosed with acute mastoiditis and or compli-cations derived from it. Results: A total of 22 patients with acute mastoiditis were identified, corresponding to an annual average of 4.125 cases/year. Additionally, 63.63% of the cases were between 0-2 years old. Only 50% of the patients received oral antibiotherapy prior to hospital admission. The germ was isolated in 60% of the cases, Streptococcus Pneumoniae was the most frequent cause. A total of 4 cases of complicated mastoiditis were detected, accounting for 18.18% of the patients; all were male, and none had spontaneous suppuration upon their arrival to the Emer-gency Department. Conclusions: The use of oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of AOM has not been shown to reduce the incidence of acute mastoiditis. However, it is possible that the complications derived from an AOM with torpid evolution are more serious when systemic antibiotic has not been used for the treatment of AOM

Aspectos clínicos y bacteriológicos de las mastoiditis agudas como complicación de otitis media aguda y crónica en pediatría, Experiencia en 10 años / Clinical and bacteriological features of acute mastoiditis as a complication of acute and chronic otitis media in pediatrics. A 10-years experience

Antecedentes. Cualquier paciente pediátrico o adulto que presente otitis media aguda (OMA) u otitis media crónica (OMC), particularmente colesteatomatosa, puede desarrollar complicaciones intratemporales y endocraneales, especialmente mastoiditis aguda (MA). Objetivo. Describir las características clínicas y bacteriología de los pacientes asistidos por MA como complicación de OMA y OMC. Lugar de aplicación: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología. Hospital de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan. Diseño. Descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal y observacional. Población. Pacientes con mastoiditis aguda por OMA y por OMC asistidos en el Servicio de ORL durante 10 años. Material y métodos. Revisión de historias clínicas de todos los pacientes tratados entre enero de 1999 y diciembre de 2008. Resultados. Se estudiaron 57 pacientes con MA, 40/57 por OMA y 17/57 por OMC. Hubo 40 niños hospitalizados con signos y síntomas de MA por OMA. Se diagnosticó complicación endocraneal en el 12,5% (5/40) de los casos. Los aislamientos bacterianos más frecuentes fueron Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, H. influenzae y Turicella otitidis. Se registraron 17 casos de niños hospitalizados con diagnóstico de MA y OMC. Ocurrieron complicaciones supurativas intracraneales en el 35,3% (6/17) de los casos. Los aislamientos bacterianos más frecuentes fueron las enterobacterias, P. aeruginosa y los gérmenes anaerobios. Conclusión. El diagnóstico de tipo y estadio de otitis media previa o coexistente a la complicación es fundamental para encarar el tratamiento antimicrobiano empírico inicial, sospechar complicaciones endocraneales asociadas y proponer procedimientos quirúrgicos menores, medianos o mayores oportunamente (AU)

Background. Any pediatric or adult patient presenting with acute otitis media (AOM) or chronic otitis media (COM), especially cholesteatomatous, may develop intratemporal and intracranial complications, mainly acute mastoiditis (AM). Objective. To describe the clinical and bacteriological features of patients seen for AM as a complication of AOM and COM. Setting: Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan. Design. A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Population. Patients with AM because of AOM and COM seen at the Department of Otolaryngology over a 10-year period. Material and methods. Review of the clinical charts of all patients treated between January 1999 and December 2008. Results. 57 Patients with AM, 40/57 due to AOM and 17/57 due to COM, were evaluated. Forty children were admitted to hospital with signs and symptoms of AOM-related AM. Intracranial complications were observed in 12.5% (5/40) of the patients. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and Turicella Otitidis. Seventeen children were hospitalized because of COM-related AM. Suppurative intracranial complications occurred in 35.3% (6/17) of the cases. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa, and anaerobic bacteria. Conclusion. The diagnosis of type and stage of otitis media prior to or coexisting with the complication is essential to address the initial empirical antimicrobial treatment, associated intracranial complications should be suspected and minor, intermediate, or major surgical procedures should be proposed at the appropriate time (AU)

[Diagnosis and treatment of the complications of otitis media in adults. Case series and literature review]. / Abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de las complicaciones de la otitis media en el adulto. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: The complications of otitis media (intra-cranial and extra-cranial) used to have a high morbidity and mortality in the pre-antibiotic era, but these are now relatively rare, mainly due to the use of antibiotics and the use of ventilation tubes, reducing the incidence of such complications significantly. Currently, an early suspicion of these complications is a major challenge for diagnosis and management. CLINICAL CASES: The cases of 5 patients (all male) are presented, who were diagnosed with complicated otitis media, 80% (4) with a mean age of 34.6 years (17-52). There was major comorbidity in 60% (3), with one patient with diabetes mellitus type 2, and two with chronic renal failure. There were 3 (60%) intra-cranial complications: one patient with thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and a cerebellar abscess; another with a retroauricular and brain abscess, and a third with meningitis. Of the 2 (40%) extra-cranial complications: one patient had a Bezold abscess, and the other with a soft tissue abscess and petrositis. All patients were managed with surgery and antibiotic therapy, with 100% survival (5), and with no neurological sequelae. The clinical course of otitis media is usually short, limiting the infection process in the majority of patients due to the immune response and sensitivity of the microbe to the antibiotic used. However, a small number of patients (1-5%) may develop complications. CONCLUSION: Otitis media is a common disease in our country, complications are rare, but should be suspected when the picture is of torpid evolution with clinical worsening and manifestation of neurological signs.

[Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: report of one case]. / Artritis infecciosa de la articulación temporomandibular consecutivo a otitis necrotizante: reporte de un caso.

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon condition, caused by hematic bacterial migration or direct migration of other head and neck infections. We report a 41 year old female who presented a right temporomandibular joint involvement, with bone destruction of the mandibular condyle and an infectious process spreading to the temporal space, following a necrotizing medial and external otitis with associated mastoiditis. A septic arthritis of the TMJ by continuity was diagnosed and treated with antimicrobials, TMJ arthrocentesis and occlusal stabilization, with a positive evolution. However, the patient remains in control due a secondary TMJ osteoarthritis caused by the septic arthritis.