A history of acute suppurative otitis media and allergic symptomatology in children with chronic secretory otitis media and controls

The parents of children with secretory otitis media and the parents of healthy children attending for routine school or community medical examinations have been questioned about previous acute otitis media, aural discharge, chronic nasal symptoms and allergic disorders. Eighty-nine pairs of children, matched for age and sex, were available for analysis. There was a significantly higher incidence of acute otitis media, aural discharge and chronic nasal symptoms in the secretory otitis group (P = less than 0.001). Amongst the allergic symptoms and disorders, the only significant differences demonstrated were for drug allergy, eye itching and eye running (P = less than 0.05). The results confirm that a relationship exists between acute otitis media and secretory otitis media and also support the conventional image of the child with secretory otitis as a mouth breather with nasal symptoms. They do not lend support to the view that allergy is an important factor in the pathogenesis of secretory otitis.     

Efficacy of oral antibiotics for the treatment of persistent otitis media with effusion

We followed 137 children who were found to have persistent otitis media with effusion (POME) one month after the diagnosis of acute otitis media. Subjects were randomly assigned to either treatment with erythromycin ethylsuccinate and sulfisoxizole or to no treatment. Follow-up utilizing pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry showed that treated patients were more likely to have normal findings, and less likely to develop acute otitis media during the month following treatment. These data indicate that children with POME one month following acute otitis media may benefit from an additional course of antibiotics.     

Complications of otitis media: an evolving state

The advent of antibiotics in the 1930s and 1940s has led to a decline in the incidence of otitis media complications. However, otitis media and its complications are continuing to evolve owing to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the introduction of pneumococcal vaccines. Modern high-resolution computed tomographic scans have allowed for earlier diagnosis when signs and symptoms are present, but a high index of suspicion must be maintained because the clinical presentation may be quite subtle. The intent of this article is to discuss the intracranial and extracranial complications of acute and chronic otitis media. The clinical presentation, work-up, and management of the individual complications are presented.     

Complications of otitis media in children in the era of antibioticotherapy

Otogenic complications in children occur most commonly secondarily to acute otitis media. Intratemporal complications are predominant and mastoiditis is most frequently seen. Meningitis in the course of acute otitis media is the most common intracranial complication. Complications of chronic otitis media are rare today, but can be more difficult to diagnose, because antibiotics may mask symptoms and change clinical presentation. Antibiotic use, however, has not completely eradicated the otogenic complications and ENT doctors should remember about this possibility.     

Intracranial otogenic complications: inspite of therapeutic progress still a serious problem

BACKGROUND: High-imaging modalities, antibiotics and improved microsurgical procedures have decreased morbidity and mortality of intracranial otogenic complications in the western hemisphere nowadays. However, they do occur and the resulting mortality is still about 10%. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: We report our experiences with 22 patients, who were treated for intracranial otogenic complications (15 x meningitis, 5 x brain abscess, 1 x subdural empyema, 1 x Gradenigo's syndrome) due to cerebrospinal fluid leak in 2 patients, chronic otitis in 9 patients (5 with cholesteatoma), acute otitis media in 11 patients, between 1981 and September 1999. Five patients with acute otitis media have had predisposing anatomic pathology: 1 x inner ear malformation, 1 x status after duraplasty, 2 x dura-brain-prolapse due to temporal bone fractures and 1 x dura-brain-prolapse after antrotomy. Streptococcus pneumoniae was a common cause of intracranial-complicating acute otitis media (64%). Residual neurologic impairment was noted in 3 patients at the time of discharge. 3 patients (13.6%) died due to the otogenic intracranial complication. CONCLUSION: Otogenic intracranial complications are potentially life threatening conditions. Early diagnosis is essential to allow appropriate antimicrobial and surgical treatment. The necessity of close cooperation between otorhinolaryngologist, pediatrician, neurologist, radiologist and neurosurgeon is stressed.     

Review of acute otomastoiditis in the paediatric population. Our cases

The introduction of antibiotics has decreased the number of acute mastoiditis as complication of otitis media in children. However, this pathology still is a serious infection. Its incidence has increased in the last years and goes on getting diagnostic and therapeutic problems. We are reporting an own review about 18 children diagnosed as acute otomastoiditis, hospitalized in a 10 years period, with ages between 10 months and 14 years. We have analysed different parameters standing out the otoscopic and radiologic findings, clinical symptoms, previous antibiotic treatment, type of surgical intervention performed and complications.     

Secretory otitis media. Aspects on treatment and control.

In a double-blind study, 228 secretory otitis media patients were evaluated according to mucolytic and decongestive treatment. No definite difference comparing with the placebo group was registered. About 50% of all patients were cured within 4 weeks after the diagnosis was established. Those patients who earlier had been treated with antibiotics because of a preceding acute otitis media had a better cure rate than the untreated group. Suggestions on treatment and control of secretory otitis media are given.     

Oral decongestant in acute otitis media. Results of a double-blind trial.

In order to investigate the influence of an orally administered decongestant, norephedrine, upon the clinical course of acute otitis media and tubal function, a double-blind trial was performed in Copenhagen in December, 1976-February, 1977, in which 93 patients, aged 6 months to 10 years, with 135 ears with acute otitis media, were treated either with norephedrine or placebo in a randomized order. Most other treatment was avoided except for pain-relieving baby aspirins. The effect of norephedrine seemed to be no other than that of placebo. Because of this inefficacy of norephedrine the authors have, therefore, a material of patients with acute otitis media where the main treatment was pain-relieving aspirin. The use and abuse of antibiotics in the treatment of this disease are discussed, and the authors stress the necessity of performing controlled studies of the efficacy of antibiotics in acute otitis media, since such studies do not exist.     

Gradenigo-Syndrom

Intracranial complications of acute otitis media are rare in the time of a specific antibiotic therapy. We report about the case of a 13-year-old female patient with an incompletely cured otitis media which was followed by a petrous apicitis presenting abducens nerve palsy. She was successfully treated by a combination of surgical intervention, high dose intravenous antibiotics, systemic corticoid-therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.     

Clinical and pharmacokinetic basis for the antimicrobial treatment of acute otitis media

Given the astonishing frequency in childhood of acute otitis media and its significant morbidity, such as hearing loss and possibly speech delay, improving treatment of response is essential. Since bacteria are an important cause of otitis media, antimicrobial treatment remains the cornerstone of such treatment. Over the last four decades, many clinical studies have shown that antibiotics can relieve symptoms and prevalent complications, although a universal cure is still elusive. This article summarizes the most pertinent clinical and experimental research on treating and preventing acute otitis media, with a focus on intervention trials and the pharmacokinetic behavior of antimicrobial drugs.     

Evaluation of myringotomy in the treatment of acute otitis media with effusion in infants and children]

In January 1990, the clinical features of acute otitis media (AOM) were retrospectively evaluated in 94 infants and children. These cases with AOM were treated with myringotomy under an operative microscope at their initial visit to our hospital during the five-month period from January to May of 1989. These results were as follows; 1) AOM in infants and children should be called "acute otitis media with effusion", because AOM can occur at the same phase as otitis media with effusion (OME) and OME can occur after AOM, both otitis media have the continuum of the pathological condition in the middle ear. 2) For the treatment of recurrent "acute otitis media with effusion", myringotomy as well as reasonable chemotherapy should be performed even with the recent advent of the newer antibiotics. 3) We suggest that the number of chronic otitis media will be reduced at some future time, if all of "acute otitis media with effusion" can be appropriately treated.     

Comparison of study designs for acute otitis media trials

BACKGROUND: A framework for evaluating the efficacy of antibiotics in development as well as those currently approved for acute otitis media (AOM) is needed. OBJECTIVE: Review strengths and limitations of various antibiotic trial designs and their outcome measures. METHODS: A review of 157 published trials involving 36,710 subjects for the treatment of AOM. RESULTS: AOM trials have three designs: (1) clinical, clinical diagnosis and assessment of outcomes; (2) single tympanocentesis, microbiologic diagnosis (by middle ear fluid culture) and clinical assessment of outcomes; and (3) double tympanocentesis, microbiologic diagnosis and microbiologic outcome assessment. Identifiable strengths and limitations of each design are reviewed. Case definitions for entry of children in trials of AOM vary widely. The lack of stringent diagnostic criteria in a clinical design allows for inclusion of a significant proportion of children with a non-bacterial etiology (i.e., viral AOM or otitis media with effusion). Tympanocentesis increases diagnostic accuracy at study entry; however, the procedure is confounding because of its potentially therapeutic benefit and the procedure is not performed in a uniform manner. A second tympanocentesis allows a high sensitivity to detect microbiologic eradication, but it does not correlate with clinical outcomes in half of the cases. The timing of outcome assessment also varies widely among trials. CONCLUSIONS: Improved clinical diagnosis criteria for AOM are needed to enhance specificity; emphasis on a bulging tympanic membrane has the best evidence base. Tympanocentesis within study designs has merits. At study entry it assures diagnostic accuracy but may alter outcomes and it is useful to document microbiologic outcomes but lacks specificity for clinical outcomes. For all designs, test of cure assessment 2-7 days after completion of therapy seems most appropriate.     

A quartet of lateral sinus thrombosis, extradural abscess, subdural abscess and occipital abscess: complications of acute mastoiditis in a pre-adolescent child

Neurological complications of acute mastoiditis are rare but can be life threatening. Their presentation may be masked by the use of antibiotics. We present a unique case of acute otitis media progressing to occipital, extradural and subdural abscess formation and lateral sinus thrombosis in a child. The clinical course and management of a pre-adolescent male is presented and discussed. We review the incidence, presentation and treatment of occipital abscesses and lateral sinus thrombosis with acute mastoiditis. Following extended cortical mastoidectomy, neck exploration and broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics, the patient made a full recovery. This is the first reported case of acute mastoiditis associated with occipital abscess in a child. Early, aggressive treatment is required for a successful outcome. The rarity of neurological complications, in addition to the insidious onset and subtle symptoms associated with antibiotic therapy, can make diagnosis extremely difficult. Patients with acute otitis media who fail to respond fully to treatment should be referred early for a specialist otology opinion.     

Pediatric approach to the diagnosis and management of otitis media

The diagnosis of otitis media is complicated by confusing terminology and a disease continuum with overlap between clinical entities. The patient's history often reveals determinants of otitis media chronicity and recurrence. Certain laboratory tests, including tympanocentesis for middle ear fluid culture, may be useful in treatment decisions. Although seven antimicrobial drugs are useful in treating acute otitis media, certain drugs are more useful in specific cases. There are several medical treatment options for chronic otitis media with effusion and for preventing recurrent acute otitis media.     

A study of knowledge,attitude and practices about otitis media in parents in Navi-Mumbai

Although otitis media poses a serious health risk in developing countries,being a frequent occurrence in children below five years of age,parental awareness and practices about otitis media have not been adequately researched.Present cross-sectional study was undertaken in Navi Mumbai schools,from October 2019 to December 2019,wherein parents with children<5 years of age answered a questionnaire which gathered data on their knowledge,attitude and practices about otitis media in their wards.Chi-square tests,Cramer’s V were used to study association between gender,age-group and education of parents with their knowledge,practice and attitude about otitis media.Out of 425 valid responses,overall most parents displayed adequate knowledge(77%),positive attitude(61%)and good care-seeking practices(70%).There was a positive correlation of knowledge and practice with level of education.This study shows acceptable levels of knowledge,attitude and practices in parents about otitis media.Parents who did not seek treatment from health centre attributed the behaviour to poverty,ignorance and lack of health insurance.The positive correlation of knowledge and practices with level of education highlights the importance of role of education in modifying parental awareness and care seeking behaviour.Our findings call for a need to further strengthen community-based healthcare and improve parental confidence in healthcare services for early detection and adequate treatment of otitis media.     

Thrombophlebitis of venous sinuses in otitis media

Thrombophlebitis of dura venous sinuses is a rare intracranial complication of otitis media, which may be sometimes accompanied by symptoms or sepsis. Anatomical conditions and early diagnosis of this vascular complication determine the treatment modality. Aim of this study was the assessment of diagnostics and treatment of venous sinuses thrombophlebitis in acute and chronic otitis media considering anatomy and the venous sinuses and status of coagulation system. Otogenic thrombophlebitis may occur in lateral, transverse, upper and lower petrosal sinuses, and rarely in cavernous. In some cases thrombophlebitis proces may expand into brain or emissary mastoid veins. Lateral sinus thrombophlebitis in chronic otitis media usually appears clinically as septic fever, earache, and increasing neurologic signs. In acute otitis media when thrombophlebitis develops the patient complains about headache, high fever and visual acquity. Diagnosis of venous sinus thrombophlebitis is based on clinical signs, radiological imaging (CT scan, MRI), bacteriological examinations and laboratory biochemical tests. Contrast enhanced CT scan shows "delta sign". Septic thrombophlebitis sinus sigmoidei is caused by mixed bacterial flora. Surgical treatment in cases with septic thrombus consists of radical modiffied ear operation and lateral sinus exposure. Thrombectomy and jugular vein ligation is performed when sepsis or thrombus is present. Mastoidectomy and tympanic cavity drainage is performed in cases with lateral sinus thrombosis in acute mastoiditis. Intravenous antibiotics therapy should be continued for 2 weeks. Anticoagulants should be given taking into consideration parameters of coagulation system and the type of thrombus. Treatment results of venous sinuses thrombophlebitis are good if they are not accompanied by other intracranial complications.     

Bezold's abscess following chronic mastoiditis in a newborn

Despite the availability of antibiotics, acute otitis media can still lead to major complications. Bezold's abscesses are very rare complications and are usually found only in adults with well-pneumatized mastoid bones. We present the case of a 10-week-old newborn with a Bezold's abscess. It is stressed that acute otitis media can be silent and undetected in infants and can lead to major complications such as Bezold's abscess.     

Naturheilkundliche Therapie der akuten Otitis media

BACKGROUND: First line antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated acute otitis media has been questioned. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an prospective, open, controlled study, 390 children aged 1-10 years were treated either conventionally (free combinations of decongestant nose drops, mucolytics, analgesics and antibiotics) or alternatively with Otovowen, supplemented by conventional medications when considered necessary. RESULTS: Patients treated conventionally took more antibiotics (80.5% vs 14.4%) and analgesics (66.8% vs 53.2%). The time to recovery (5.3 vs 5.1 days) and absence from school or pre-school nursery (both 1.7 days) were not significantly different between groups. Pain resolution was slightly better with conventional treatment (-5.8 vs -5.2 score points). The alternative treatment was judged both by doctors, and parents, to be significantly better tolerated. CONCLUSION: In uncomplicated acute otitis media of childhood, an alternative treatment strategy with the natural medicine Otovowen may substantially reduce the use of antibiotics without disadvantage to the clinical outcome.