Conservative management of acute mastoiditis in children

SummaryObjectiveTo review the current management of acute mastoiditis with critical emphasis on the role of myringotomy.DesignA retrospective chart review.SettingTertiary-care, university affiliated children's hospital.PatientsOne hundred and forty-four consecutive children hospitalized for acute mastoiditis between the years 1991 and 2002.InterventionsAll children were treated with parenteral antibiotics (conservative management). Myringotomy was performed at the discretion of the otolaryngologist on-call.Main outcome measuresComparing outcomes of children with or without myringotomy regarding hospital stay, complications and the need for surgical interventions.ResultsMyringotomy was performed in 34.6% of episodes. The children who underwent myringotomy were found to be significantly younger (22.4 compared to 28.8 months, p = 0.028) and had more complications (n = 17 vs. n = 8, p < 0.001). Complications overall occurred in 16.3% of episodes. Performing myringotomy had no significant effect on the duration of hospital stay. Children pretreated with antibiotics underwent significantly less myringotomies p = 0.027. There were no significant differences between children who underwent myringotomy and those who did not with regard to WBC count, or ESR.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that myringotomy may not be required in all cases of acute mastoiditis. Parenteral antibiotics is sufficient in most cases. Criteria for myringotomy may include a younger age. Conservative management resulted in good outcomes in this series.