Luc's abscess: the return of an old fellow.
OBJECTIVE
Mastoiditis, subperiosteal abscess and sigmoid vein thrombosis are the most common suppurative complications of acute otitis media (AOM). Luc's abscess, a subperiosteal temporal collection, is an infrequent complication with a particularly benign course.


METHODS
Two children, aged 5 years, presented with AOM complicated by an atypical abscess deep to the temporalis muscle, with no evidence for mastoid or zygomatic arch involvement.


METHODS
Computed tomographic scan was performed in only 1 child. In both children, treatment included antibiotic therapy, grommet insertion, and local surgical drainage of the temporalis abscess. In addition, a cortical mastoidectomy was performed in the patient who did not undergo computed tomography, based on clinical assessment.


METHODS
Clinical improvement, resolution of symptoms.


RESULTS
Both patients recovered shortly following the surgical drainage. Mastoidectomy was poor in findings and was concluded as redundant.


CONCLUSIONS
Luc's abscess is associated with relatively little morbidity and requires a more limited surgical intervention. Computed tomographic scan is of great value to evaluate the extent of the disease and prevent needless mastoidectomy.
Weiss
Inbal
I
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Holon, Israel.
Marom
Tal
T
Goldfarb
Abraham
A
Roth
Yehudah
Y
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005675:Fusobacterium necrophorum; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin; D002444:Cefuroxime