title: Complications of otitis media: an evolving state.
abstract: The advent of antibiotics in the 1930s and 1940s has led to a decline in the incidence of otitis media complications. However, otitis media and its complications are continuing to evolve owing to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the introduction of pneumococcal vaccines. Modern high-resolution computed tomographic scans have allowed for earlier diagnosis when signs and symptoms are present, but a high index of suspicion must be maintained because the clinical presentation may be quite subtle. The intent of this article is to discuss the intracranial and extracranial complications of acute and chronic otitis media. The clinical presentation, work-up, and management of the individual complications are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husein
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacRae
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007762:Labyrinthitis / Q000209:etiology; D020227:Lateral Sinus Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000209:etiology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology