title: Atypical presentation of Bezold's and Citelli's abscesses, with recollection following an incomplete postoperative course of antibiotics.
abstract: Bezold's and Citelli's abscesses are rare complications of otitis media. We present a case of a 44-year-old Eastern European man, with a history of recurrent otitis media, who was admitted to hospital with mastoiditis and initially treated with antibiotics. Despite clinical improvement, a CT scan showed mastoiditis with Bezold's and Citelli's abscesses. The patient underwent a myringotomy and grommet insertion, in addition to a cortical mastoidectomy and curettage of the neck abscesses. After a good recovery, he was discharged home. However, likely due to the language barrier, he did not complete a course of antibiotics as prescribed, and the abscess re-collected, necessitating a re-admission and re-operation. This report illustrates the importance of considering rare features of a common disease in the differential, and of communication in ensuring compliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Directorate, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Sadik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quoraishi
authors.affiliation: Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK.
authors.forename: Jayan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8899-6620
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farboud
authors.affiliation: Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Swansea, UK.
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marnane
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000628:therapy*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents