Intracranial complications of chronic otitis media in patients admitted to Imam Khomeini hospital, Ahvaz, south of Iran

Introduction: Recently, intracranial complications of chronic otitis media (COM) have been significantly decreased due to prompt diagnosis and proper use of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology and incidence of intracranial complications of chronic otitis media. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, between ۱۹۹۵ and ۲۰۰۷, patients with signs and symptoms indicative of intracranial complications were followed clinically. Result: Among ۵۶۰ patients admitted with COM, ۸ patients had intracranial complication. All of patients were men. The mean age was ۳۰.۰۵ years. Otorrhea exacerbation, fever and headache were the most common presenting symptoms. The most common complications were epidural abscess, brain abscess, cerebellar abscess and meningitis respectively. Conclusion: Although nowadays, intracranial complications after COM rarely occur, they should be strongly considered in patients with symptoms such as fever, headache and otorrhea exacerbation.

Keywords:

Chronic otitis media , Intracranial complication , Meningitis