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Acute mastoiditis in children: a 10-year retrospective and validated multicenter study
Kristian Anthonsen1, Karianne Høstmark, Søren Hansen
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. kanthonsen@gmail.com
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|February 6, 2013
Summary
Acute mastoiditis incidence remains stable in Denmark despite conservative acute otitis media treatment. Complications are rare, and outcomes are favorable, with low bacterial resistance to penicillin.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Conservative management of acute otitis media (AOM) may increase complication risks.
- This study investigates acute mastoiditis trends in a region with conservative AOM treatment guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in the incidence of acute mastoiditis in children.
- To analyze clinical and microbiological findings, complications, and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 214 children (0-15 years) diagnosed with acute mastoiditis from 1998-2007 in eastern Denmark.
- Data collection included clinical presentation, microbiological cultures, and treatment interventions.
Main Results:
- Stable incidence of acute mastoiditis (4.8/100,000 children/year).
- Common symptoms included ear protrusion and retroauricular swelling; 32% had abscesses.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae and group A streptococci were prevalent, with 94% penicillin susceptibility. Low complication rate (1.9%).
Conclusions:
- Acute mastoiditis incidence is stable in eastern Denmark under conservative AOM management.
- Low bacterial resistance to penicillin and rare complications indicate favorable treatment outcomes.
- No severe post-treatment complications were observed.
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