Complications des otites moyennes aiguës et chroniques

Acute and chronic (mainly cholesteatomatous) otitis media may lead to extracranial complications such as mastoiditis, facial palsy, petrositis and labyrinthitis. These complications may be unique, even asymptomatic. But they are often multiple, sometimes associated to intracranial complications. Extra-dural abscesses are frequent and generally benign, but other intracranial complications (meningitis, sub-dural or intracerebral empyemas, otogenic thrombophlebitis) are more severe, may be life threatening or leave serious sequellae. Bacteriologic and imaging assessments are essential in the management of theses complications. Antibiotic treatment is indicated. Surgery depends on the aetiology and the nature of the complication.