Objective: Determine the incidence of otological and endocranial complications of acute otitis media, taking into account previous treatments and the development of complications.
Material and methods: Retrospective follow-up study between March 1996-2003 including 16 patients: 9 men, 7 women.
Results: Nine patients (56.25%) had intracranial complications and seven otological ones. In the first group, 6 developed meningitis by Streptococcus pneumoniae, one sigmoid sinus thromboflebitis, one multiple abscesses, and one subdural empiema and encephalitis. Otological complications were six acute mastoiditis and the other one a facial paralysis. The child with thromboflebitis underwent mastoidectomy and closed meningeal comunication; 5 of the acute mastoiditis were operated on and the other received traditional treatment. The meningitis received medication. Two died, one because of a subdural empiema and the other due to meningitis.
Conclusion: Despite the advances made by antibiotherapy and diagnosis, the complications of otitis media are still frequent. The pediatrician and otorhinolaryngologist should be on the alert for these as well as for Pneumococcus and its high resistance.