Bacteriology of mastoid subperiosteal abscess in children

Calculated parenteral initial treatment of bacterial infections: Infections in the ear, nose, throat and mouth and jaw area

This is the sixth chapter of the guideline "Calculated initial parenteral treatment of bacterial infections in adults - update 2018" in the 2nd updated version. The German guideline by the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (PEG) has been translated to address an international audience. The chapter deals with the antibacterial treatment of more severe infections of the ear, the nose, the throat and the maxillofacial region, including odontogenic and salivary gland infections.

[Acute mastoiditis today]

Acute mastoiditis is an acute inflammation of the mastoid process with bone erosion. It is a complication of acute otitis media, which is rare but with increasing incidence. Distinct characteristics are an erythema and oedematous swelling of the skin of the mastoid process. A fluctuant swelling points to a subperiosteal abscess. Laboratory examination and imaging only support the diagnostics. Therapy involves obligatory systemic antibiotic treatment. At the beginning of the inflammation a paracentesis can be sufficient. A mastoidectomy must be carried out if clear signs of an osseous necrolysis, such as a subperiosteal abscess, are present. The most frequent causative agents are gram positive cocci. Intraoperative smears are best suitable for microbiological diagnostics. Complications of acute mastoiditis are encroachments of the inflammation on neighbouring structures of the mastoid. In such cases a tomography is indicated and therapy is usually surgical.

Abscess of the orbit arising 48 h after root canal treatment of a maxillary first molar

AIM

To discuss a rare, but severe complication arising following routine root canal treatment.

SUMMARY

An orbital abscess is reported that occurred following routine root canal treatment. A young, healthy female patient, with no history of chronic paranasal infection had undergone root canal treatment of the right maxillary first molar. On hospital admission, she presented with extensive periorbital swelling and discreet diplopia. Computed tomography imaging identified massive purulent sinusitis and subsequent involvement of the orbit via the inferior and medial orbital wall within 48 h after completion of root canal treatment. Immediate surgical drainage of the maxillary sinus and the orbit was established and a high dose of perioperative antibiotics (Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, Gentamycin, Metronidazole) were administered. Vision remained undisturbed and mobility of the globe recovered within 10 days.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Rapid exacerbation of a periapical inflammation may occur following root canal treatment and may even involve the orbit. A typical speed of disease progression or ophthalmic symptoms should alert the clinician to at least consider unusual early orbital spread of odontogenic infection. When extra-alveolar spread and especially orbital spread is suspected, immediate referral to a maxillofacial or other specialized unit is mandatory.

Indications for surgery in acute mastoiditis and their complications in children

OBJECTIVE

To review the clinical charts of 45 paediatric patients treated for acute otomastoiditis at the ORL Department of the University of Brescia (Italy) between January 1994 and March 2005 and to discuss the diagnostic workup and the outcome of treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-six males and 19 females were admitted with acute mastoiditis and subperiosteal abscess. Thirteen of them (28.9%) presented an intracranial complication. Only three of them were not operated upon; one received a ventilation tube (VT); all the others underwent a mastoidectomy within 48-72 h. Twenty out of 32 uncomplicated mastoiditis were treated conservatively and the remaining 12 underwent myringotomy+/-VT, associated with a mastoidectomy in 9 cases.

RESULTS

Antibiotics alone or with VTs achieved a full recovery in 28 out of 32 uncomplicated cases. Mastoidectomy resolved the disease in 13 patients (9 with complications). In severe complications, a canal wall down (CWD) (n=2) or an intact canal wall (ICW) mastoidectomy (n=7) were preferred, based on the extent of the lesions and the degree of hearing loss. All children recovered completely at 1 year follow-up. In the uncomplicated cases that were operated upon, the mean hospital stay was 7.8 days (versus 4.3 days for the conservative group). In children with intracranial complications the mean hospital stay was 12.8 days, significantly less than the four non-surgical patients, who remained hospitalized for an average of 18 days.

CONCLUSION

Acute mastoiditis can fully recover with conservative treatment or myringotomy+VTs. Immediate surgical treatment is indicated for intracranial complications, if the neurological conditions are not critical. A simple mastoidectomy+/-tympanoplasty is warranted in: (1) exteriorization, if the child is older than 30 months or >15 kg of weight, (2) intracranial complications (combined with a neurosurgical procedure as needed) and (3) cholesteatoma or granulation tissue.