[Mastoiditis in childhood].
BACKGROUND
Despite new antibiotics mastoiditis in children still is a serious infection confronting the pediatrician and otolaryngologist with diagnostic and therapeutic problems.


METHODS
In a retrospective study we reviewed the charts of 48 children who had a mastoidectomy from 1990 to 1995 in the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology at the University of Essen.


RESULTS
60% of the patients presented with a retroauricular swelling, and a pathologic tympanic membrane was found in 89%. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate as the most valuable laboratory parameter was increased in 95% of cases. Larger osteodestructive lesions as a complication of mastoiditis could be predicted in three of ten cases by plain x-ray of the temporal bone. The most common bacteria to be isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of potential endocranial complications (10% in our patients) as well as difficult radiologic diagnosis of osteodestructive lesions by plain x-ray, we advocate mastoidectomy instead of a mere pharmacological therapy in the treatment of mastoiditis.
Universitäts-Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenklinik Essen.
J
J
Lautermann
B
B
Lieberum
J
J
Schaper
S
S
Knauer-Fischer
D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
Mastoiditis im Kindesalter.