[Intracranial complications of otitis: the present-day situation]

The increasing number of intracranial complications of otic origin seen by the AA. in the previous 6 years, prompted them to make a survey of the respective files. In all, 9 patients were included in the group, with ages ranging from 18 to 72 years. Everyone showed marginal tympanic perforations with cholesteatoma. At their first visit to the office neurologic symptoms were present (mean time from beginning was 12 days) as an aftermath of chronic otitis. Meningitis, brain (temporo-parietal, temporal) and cerebellar abscesses of the implicated side were the diagnosis. Decisive for diagnosis was the CAT examination, being much better than the NMR (done once). Cases were managed in cooperation with the neurosurgical team. The mean time of hospitalization was 1 month. Eight cases did well (2 with neurologic sequels); the follow-up of the ninth patient is unknown.