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Subacute bacterial endocarditis secondary to mastoiditis: a rare complication
Caroline Patricia Smith1, Conor Jackson, Rosemary Stewart
1Department of ENT, Antrim Area Hospital, Antrim, UK. caroline_smith19@hotmail.co.uk
Abstract:
Mastoiditis can result from untreated otitis media. If unrecognised, it can result in life-threatening complications. We present a 69-year-old woman with a history of left-sided otitis media admitted to intensive care unit following collapse with a decreasing Glasgow Coma Scale. Myringotomy and ventilator insertion revealed pus in the middle ear, which grew Group A Streptococcus. Her fever persisted and blood samples cultured Group A Streptococcus. Echocardiogram confirmed subacute bacterial endocarditis. Subacute bacterial endocarditis is a rare complication of mastoiditis. A literature review detected no previous case reports. A high suspicion of potential complications can prevent morbidity and mortality.
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