Mastoiditis in children: a prospective, observational study comparing clinical presentation, microbiology, computed tomography, surgical findings and histology.
The aim of this study was to obtain comprehensive data on clinical presentation, microbiology, computed tomography, surgical findings and histology in acute, sub-acute and chronic mastoiditis. We performed a prospective, observational study in children under 16 years of age presenting to our institution during the 2-year period beginning in April 2000. The children were examined and their condition treated in accordance with a standardized protocol elaborated by the paediatric, otolaryngology (ORL) and radiology departments. Thirty-eight patients were hospitalized (22 with acute mastoiditis, seven with sub-acute mastoiditis, nine with chronic mastoiditis). There were 30 complications present in 21 patients (55%). Streptococcus pyogenes was the most common pathogen (7/24 cases), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (4/24 cases). Mastoid surgery was performed in 29 patients. Histology of mastoid tissue revealed predominantly acute inflammation in two cases, mixed acute/chronic inflammation in 19 cases and predominantly chronic inflammation in seven cases. Radiologic data were evaluated retrospectively. Spiral, volume-based high-resolution (HR) computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 38%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 50% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% in detecting coalescence of mastoid trabeculae. Cranial CT with contrast had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 94%, PPV of 80% and NPV of 94% in identifying intra-cranial extension.


CONCLUSIONS
histological evidence suggests that sub-acute/chronic infection underlies not only sub-acute and chronic mastoiditis, but most cases of acute mastoiditis as well. HR-CT of the temporal bone is effective in ruling out coalescence. Cranial CT is valuable in identifying intra-cranial extension. Cranial and HR-CT are recommended in the examination of children with mastoiditis.
Stähelin-Massik
Jody
J
Department of Paediatrics, Kantonsspital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland. jody.staehelin@ksa.ch
Podvinec
Mihael
M
Jakscha
Jens
J
Rüst
Othmar N
ON
Greisser
Johannes
J
Moschopulos
Michael
M
Gnehm
Hanspeter E
HE
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed