gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Acute mastoiditis (AM) is a leading intra-temporal complication of Acute Otitis Media (AOM) that most commonly occurs in young children. Occasionally, it presents as first sign of an ear disease. We aimed to evaluate its clinical course and determine therapeutic options for pediatric patients.

Methods: Prospective, descriptive study conducted on 79 pediatric patients (18 years or below) who presented to during a period of two and half years. Data were collected on patient particulars, treatment offered, duration of hospital stay and final outcome. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Result: Most were males (62%).Mean age ± SD was 9.32±5.3.History of AOM was present in 60(75.9%).Clinical features on admission were post aural inflammation (100%), otalgia (79.7%), fever (59.5%), aural protrusion (54.4%) and otorrhoea (51.9%).Out of 54 (68.4%) cultures sent, 30 (38%) grew organisms like Streptococcus pneumonia (20.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.1%), Streptococcus pyogenes (3.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.8%). Subperiosteal abscess was present in 21 (26.6%) patients and one had facial palsy. Conservative treatment was offered in 66(83.5%) whereas surgery was performed in 13 (16.5%) children. Mean ± SD for the duration of hospital stay was 5.58±1.99.Pearson’s Chi- Square tests were done between history of AOM with treatment received (p=0.26); between age group with treatment received (p=- 0.006) and between complications seen with treatment received (p=0.022). T tests were done between duration of hospital stay with age group (p= 0.01) and treatment received (p=0.00).

Conclusion: Most of the cases followed previous AOM episode. With early recognition and effective treatment, the prognosis is good.

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