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Conservative Management of Otogenic Brain Abscess with Surgical Management of Attico Antral Ear Disease: A Review

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Abstract

Otological intra cranial complications are still a major problem in developing countries. Otogenic brain abscess is a serious, life-threatening complication of otitis media and it usually occurs due to attico antral ear disease. Treatment of otogenic brain abscess is immediate surgical drainage, and mastoidectomy is done to remove the source of infection. This article describes three cases of otogenic brain abscess secondary to attico antral ear disease, which were less than 1.6 cm in size and were treated conservatively with antibiotic therapy. All the patients were started on intravenous antibiotic therapy and serial CT scan was done to monitor the progression of the brain abscess. Canal wall down mastoidectomy was done for the removal of otogenic source of infection. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 6 weeks. Post operative CT scan was done after 8 weeks and it showed complete resolution of the abscess. This study showed that small otogenic brain abscess, which are less than 1.6 cm in size responded to treatment with antibiotics, could be managed by medical therapy. Surgery was required only for the management of attico antral ear disease. To best of our knowledge this is the first review on conservative management of small otogenic brain abscess secondary to attico antral ear disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    B. Viswanatha

  2. Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, Karnataka, India

    Khaja Nsaeeruddin

  3. # 716, 10th Cross, 5th Main, M.C. Layout, Vijayanagar, Bangalore, 560 040, Karnataka, India

    B. Viswanatha

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  1. B. Viswanatha
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  2. Khaja Nsaeeruddin
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Correspondence to B. Viswanatha.

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Viswanatha, B., Nsaeeruddin, K. Conservative Management of Otogenic Brain Abscess with Surgical Management of Attico Antral Ear Disease: A Review. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 64, 113–119 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-012-0524-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-012-0524-7

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