Acute Mastoiditis in Pediatric Age Group. Outcome of Diagnostic and Surgical Treatment.

Abstract

Background: Acute Mastoiditis is an uncommon finding in children. The signs and symptoms includes a history of otorrhea, post aural swelling, pain in the ear, a shift in pinna position and tenderness over the mastoid region. The study aimed at analyzing retrospectively clinical and etio-pathological characteristics of pediatric acute mastoiditis and mastoid abscess in 58 children and to plan a strategy for the management in our Hospital. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of the medical records of 58 children aged below 14 years was scrutinized to record demographic data, history, investigations, etiological factors and treatment outcomes to establish a treatment protocol for future adaptation. Results: 58 patient records were taken up in the present study; patients mean age was 8 1.4 years. In 14 children (24.03%) previous history of CSOM was reported. All children had clear evidence of post-auricular inflammation. Other clinical features like shift in pinna position, otorrhea, fever and otalgia were noted. Increase in WBC count in 59.35% of the cases, anemia with Hb less than 7 gms% was noted in 16 (27.64%) patients. Conclusion: Surgical exploration of the middle ear cleft after initial stabilization of the child with medical treatment gave statistical significant cure rate with low recurrence rate.