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Published on: February 9, 2011

Bacteriology of mastoid subperiosteal abscess in children

Lela Migirov1, Jona Kronenberg

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|February 24, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Subperiosteal abscess (SA) in children with acute mastoiditis (AM) often involves Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Cultures from the abscess cavity are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of this complication.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Subperiosteal abscess (SA) is the most common complication of acute mastoiditis (AM).
  • Microorganisms cultured from the external auditory canal or middle ear may differ from those in the SA.
  • Abscess cavity cultures are considered more representative of the causative pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the infectious agents responsible for subperiosteal abscess (SA).
  • To investigate the pathogens associated with mastoid cortex erosion in children with AM.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective evaluation of medical records of 35 children.
  • Patients underwent mastoidectomy for SA between May 1984 and April 2002.

Main Results:

  • Mastoid cortex erosion was observed in 72.7% of cases.
  • Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were the most common pathogens isolated from SA cavities.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also identified. Sterile cultures occurred in 25% of cases.

Conclusions:

  • Subperiosteal abscess in mastoiditis is typically unilateral and can recur.
  • Early antibiotic treatment targeting Staphylococcus is recommended for SA complicating AM.

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