Objective: The objective for this systematic review is to characterize clinical presentations of Bezold's abscesses to improve awareness and promote earlier diagnoses and prompt intervention in this increasingly rare otologic infection.
Data sources: Pubmed/Medline, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and Web of Science articles in all languages were searched.
Study selection: Inclusion criteria were that the article was either a case report, case series, or retrospective review with individual case data available. Non-English articles were excluded if they lacked an English language abstract and if that abstract lacked information on baseline demographics, clinical presentation, and management.
Data extraction: Included studies were evaluated using fulltext review and demographics, etiology, microbiology, antibiotic usage, and surgical variables were collected.
Data synthesis: Data were qualitatively synthesized, with means and averages obtained for all continuous variables.
Conclusions: Bezold's abscess remains a rare otologic infection, but they are relatively commonly associated with serious neurologic and systemic complications. Delay in diagnosis was a frequent commonality and diagnostic vigilance is tantamount in avoiding this sequelae. Aggressive surgical extirpation and long-term antibiotic treatment is recommended.
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