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A case of otogenic brain abscess causing loss of consciousness

Min Kyu Kwak1, Jae Ho Chung1, Seung Hwan Lee1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.

Korean Journal of Audiology
|October 4, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Otitis media can lead to serious brain abscesses. This case highlights successful treatment using antibiotics and otologic surgery alone, avoiding neurosurgery for an otogenic brain abscess.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Otitis media, an inflammation of the middle ear, can lead to severe intracranial complications such as brain abscess.
  • Brain abscesses, particularly those originating from ear infections (otogenic), pose a significant risk of mortality.
  • Optimal surgical management and timing for otogenic brain abscesses remain subjects of ongoing clinical discussion.

Observation:

  • A 31-year-old male presented with an acute alteration in mental status.
  • The patient was diagnosed with an otogenic brain abscess.
  • Initial management involved empirical antibiotic therapy.

Findings:

  • The patient was successfully treated with a combination of antibiotics and otologic surgery.
  • Neurosurgical intervention was not required for this specific case.
  • This approach led to a favorable outcome, resolving the brain abscess.

Implications:

  • This case suggests that a tailored approach combining antibiotics and otologic surgery may be sufficient for certain otogenic brain abscesses.
  • It challenges the necessity of routine neurosurgical intervention in all such cases.
  • Further research into the precise indications and timing for surgical intervention in otogenic brain abscesses is warranted.
Keywords:
Brain abscessComplicationOtitis media

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