[Otogenic intracranial complications in an urban emergency service hospital]

The problem of otogenic intracranial complications is very important for medical practice. This paper presents data on the incidence, clinical development and outcome of intracranial complications of purulent otitis media. During 1979-1988 the ENT Department of the City First Aid Hospital treated 82 patients with otogenic intracranial complications, which developed often in the case of acute than chronic otitis media. The lethality rate caused by otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis was 0.95% in the patients with acute otitis media and 0.5% in the patients with chronic otitis media. In view of this, it is recommended to extend the list of indications for hospitalization of patients with acute otitis media. It is strongly recommended to admit to hospitals patients with acute otitis media caused by severe flu, pregnant women, patients with severe visceral pathologies, and old age patients.