6
views
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
0 collections
    0
    shares
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: found
      Is Open Access

      Check the Ear. The Importance of Ear Examinations in Assessment of Intracranial Subdural Empyema

      review-article

      Read this article at

      Bookmark
          There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

          Abstract

          Intracranial subdural empyema (ISE) is an uncommon condition previously associated with almost 100% morbidity and mortality. Since the introduction of antibiotics and advancements in diagnosis the complication rates have significantly improved. We report an unusual case of a 32-year-old Aboriginal male diagnosed with ISE. On closer inspection the ISE was found to be a complication of otitis media with a cotton bud lodged in the external acoustic meatus. The report provides a literature review on the relationships of ISE, otitis media and foreign bodies. We conclude that although rare, all patients with suspected ISE should undergo an ear examination as it is at no cost to the patient or health service but may be the difference between life and death.

          Related collections

          Most cited references26

          • Record: found
          • Abstract: found
          • Article: not found

          Intracranial complications of sinusitis in children and adolescents and their outcomes.

          To gain insight into patterns of presentation, imaging, microbiological aspects, therapy, disease course, and outcome of intracranial complications of sinusitis (ICS), which are challenging conditions with the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience with ICS in children and adolescents. Consecutive case series with a mean follow-up of 12 months. Tertiary pediatric referral center. Consecutive sample of 25 children and adolescents treated for 35 intracranial complications (mean age, 13.2 years [range, 4-18 years]). Medical and surgical management. Survival and temporary and permanent neurologic sequelae. Most patients were adolescents (n = 19; 76%) and male (n = 19; 76%). Epidural abscess was most common (13 complications), followed by subdural empyema (n = 9), meningitis (n = 6), encephalitis (n = 2), intracerebral abscess (n = 2), and dural sinus thrombophlebitis (n = 2). Abscesses were primarily located in the frontal or frontoparietal regions. Magnetic resonance imaging was extensively used and was superior to contrast computed tomography in diagnosis. All patients received intravenous antibiotics, 21 underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, and 13 underwent neurosurgical drainage. Only 1 death occurred from sepsis secondary to meningitis (mortality, 4%). Overall, neurologic outcome was excellent. Although 10 patients (40%) had neurologic deficits, most resolved within 2 months. Only 2 patients had permanent neurologic sequelae. Among ICS, epidural abscess appeared to be a distinct clinical entity. Epidural abscesses typically presented without specific neurologic symptoms or signs, were more often associated with orbital complications, and had outcomes considerably better than the other ICS. Intracranial complications of sinusitis are challenging, but prognosis can be favorable in children and adolescents by using aggressive medical and surgical management.
            Bookmark
            • Record: found
            • Abstract: found
            • Article: not found

            The complications of chronic otitis media: report of 93 cases.

            The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, mortality and morbidity of complications due to chronic otitis media (COM). During the nine-year period 1990-1999, 2890 cases of COM were reviewed, 93 (3.22 per cent) having 57 (1.97 per cent) intracranial complications (IC) and 39 (1.35 per cent) extracranial complications (EC). In three patients more than one complication was observed. Meningitis and brain abscess were common in the IC group. Subperiosteal abscess (mastoid and Bezold's abscess) was a common complication in the EC group. Cholesteatoma and granulation/polyp in the middle ear/mastoid were the major findings in both groups. Fifteen patients died from IC. Overall, the mortality rate was 16.1 per cent in all patients having complications, and in patients with IC it was 26.3 per cent. In all of the patients with complications, the morbidity rate was 11.8 per cent. Our study supports the finding that meningitis and brain abscess are the common complications of COM and the main reason for mortality.
              Bookmark
              • Record: found
              • Abstract: found
              • Article: found
              Is Open Access

              Exploring cross-sectional associations between common childhood illness, housing and social conditions in remote Australian Aboriginal communities

              Background There is limited epidemiological research that provides insight into the complex web of causative and moderating factors that links housing conditions to a variety of poor health outcomes. This study explores the relationship between housing conditions (with a primary focus on the functional state of infrastructure) and common childhood illness in remote Australian Aboriginal communities for the purpose of informing development of housing interventions to improve child health. Methods Hierarchical multi-level analysis of association between carer report of common childhood illnesses and functional and hygienic state of housing infrastructure, socio-economic, psychosocial and health related behaviours using baseline survey data from a housing intervention study. Results Multivariate analysis showed a strong independent association between report of respiratory infection and overall functional condition of the house (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.00; 95%CI 1.36-6.63), but no significant association between report of other illnesses and the overall functional condition or the functional condition of infrastructure required for specific healthy living practices. Associations between report of child illness and secondary explanatory variables which showed an OR of 2 or more included: for skin infection - evidence of poor temperature control in the house (OR 3.25; 95%CI 1.06-9.94), evidence of pests and vermin in the house (OR 2.88; 95%CI 1.25-6.60); for respiratory infection - breastfeeding in infancy (OR 0.27; 95%CI 0.14-0.49); for diarrhoea/vomiting - hygienic state of food preparation and storage areas (OR 2.10; 95%CI 1.10-4.00); for ear infection - child care attendance (OR 2.25; 95%CI 1.26-3.99). Conclusion These findings add to other evidence that building programs need to be supported by a range of other social and behavioural interventions for potential health gains to be more fully realised.
                Bookmark

                Author and article information

                Journal
                Trop Med Infect Dis
                Trop Med Infect Dis
                tropicalmed
                Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
                MDPI
                2414-6366
                18 September 2019
                September 2019
                : 4
                : 3
                : 120
                Affiliations
                Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin Northern Territory, Tiwi 0810, Australia
                Author notes
                [* ]Correspondence: joseph.yoon@ 123456nt.gov.au ; Tel.: +61-08-8922-8888
                Author information
                https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5597-3032
                Article
                tropicalmed-04-00120
                10.3390/tropicalmed4030120
                6789478
                31540395
                c1563ef1-8163-4e1a-8162-151c4723069a
                © 2019 by the authors.

                Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

                History
                : 04 August 2019
                : 16 September 2019
                Categories
                Review

                foreign body,otitis media,otitis externa,intracranial subdural empyema,indigenous,fungal infection

                Comments

                Comment on this article