Life threatening complications after partially treated mastoiditis

摘要

The introduction of antibiotics reduced the incidence of mastoiditis after acute otitis media from 50% to 0.4%. However, mastoiditis still occurs, and partially treated mastoiditis can alter the clinical picture of resultant intracranial and extracranial complications by masking the classic symptoms. We present three such cases, the first two with lateral sinus thrombosis and the third with a Bezold's abscess. We emphasise the importance of heightened awareness of the changing presentation of complications of mastoiditis so that these life threatening conditions can be recognised and treated early.