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Pediatric otogenic intracranial abscesses

Brandon Isaacson1, Christine Mirabal, J Walter Kutz

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75287, USA. Brandon.isaacson@utsouthwestern.edu

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
|February 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Otogenic intracranial abscesses can be treated with antibiotics alone in select pediatric cases. Canal wall up mastoidectomy is a viable surgical option when intervention is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Otogenic intracranial abscesses are severe complications of otitis media.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical presentation and management strategies for otogenic intracranial abscesses in children.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment approaches, including surgical and non-surgical options.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series and chart review of pediatric patients.
  • Inpatient database query for specific diagnostic codes related to otitis media complications.
  • Analysis of presenting symptoms, microbiology, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Forty pediatric patients with otogenic intracranial complications were identified.
  • Thirty patients had suppurative complications (intraparenchymal, epidural, subdural, or petrous apex abscesses).
  • Treatment included canal wall up mastoidectomy (80%), craniotomy (10%), or intravenous antibiotics (10%); no mortalities were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Selected pediatric patients with intracranial abscesses may be managed non-surgically with intravenous antibiotics.
  • Canal wall up mastoidectomy is an acceptable surgical alternative to radical mastoidectomy for otogenic intracranial complications.
Abstract

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