Learning objectives: In the presentation the clinical course and therapeutic results of intracranial complications of otogenic origin will be discussed.
Introduction: Intracranial complications of otogenic origin are rare but still represent a potentially lethal threat.
Methods: The aim of the study was clinical analysis of 48 intracranial complications in 29 patients with chronic otitis media. The incidence of complications, symptoms reported at admission, neurological condition, microbiological material, the choice of the surgical therapeutic method and treatment results were evaluated.
Results: 16/29 patients had a single complication, while 13/29 - multiple complications. Brain abscess was reported in 18/48 cases, meningitis in 14/48, sigmoid sinus thrombosis in 7/48, epidural abscess in 6/48 and subdural empyema in 3/48. Surgical treatment was implemented immediately and simultaneously in the temporal bone focus and the site of complication. There were no deaths.
Conclusions: Brain abscess was the most common complication in the study group. In many patients several intracranial complications occurred at the same time. The authors recommend fast evacuation of the temporal bone purulent focus accompanied by the surgical treatment of intracranial complications with the evacuation of the abscess under the control of neuronavigation.
