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Clinical, laboratory, and microbiological differences between children with simple or complicated mastoiditis
Efraim Bilavsky1, Havatzelet Yarden-Bilavsky, Zmira Samra
1Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. yoji@netvision.net.il
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|June 23, 2009
Summary
Children with complicated mastoiditis often present with high fever and elevated neutrophil and C-reactive protein levels. These markers may indicate a need for closer monitoring and prompt surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute mastoiditis is a serious complication of otitis media in children.
- Distinguishing simple from complicated mastoiditis is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical, laboratory, and microbiological differences between children with simple and complicated acute mastoiditis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 308 children hospitalized for acute mastoiditis over 5 years.
- Comparison of clinical and laboratory findings between simple mastoiditis and complicated cases (intra- or extra-cranial complications).
Main Results:
- Complicated mastoiditis occurred in 17.9% of cases.
- Children with complicated mastoiditis had significantly higher maximal fever, absolute neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein levels.
- No significant differences were observed in age, medical history, or *Streptococcus pneumoniae* antibiotic susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Elevated fever, absolute neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein levels are potential indicators of complicated mastoiditis in children.
- These findings suggest that children with these markers may benefit from closer observation and potentially earlier surgical intervention.
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