title: Anaerobic mastoiditis: a report of two cases with complications.
abstract: Aerobic bacteria are responsible for most cases of suppurative otitis media/mastoiditis (OM/M). As many as 20-30% of middle ear aspirates in acute otitis media, however, are reported to be sterile on aerobic culture. Some of these cases may be due to anaerobic bacteria. Two cases of OM/M due to anaerobic bacteria are reported. The first patient had no antecedent ear disease and developed a large Bezold abscess caused by Fusobacterium varium. The second patient had attic retraction pouches bilaterally and a history of otorrhea. This patient developed labyrinthitis and meningitis due to B. fragilis. The clinical progression of disease in both cases indicates that anaerobic OM/M can follow a deceptively asymptomatic course. By contrast, complications of OM/M occur abruptly and extend rapidly in a manner typical of acute aerobic disease. Both cases required surgery for cure.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007762:Labyrinthitis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology