Intracranial complications of otitis media: In retrospect.

OBJECTIVE Evaluating intracranial complications of otitis media. DESIGN An Evaluative study of 106 cases of intracranial complications secondary to otitis media. INTERVENTION Diagnosis is based on history, clinical exam (general, systemic and ENT), investigations hemogram, X-ray mastoid CT scan brain and mastoid. TREATMENT Medical management:IV Higher Antibiotics.Surgery for complicating pathology:Pus (in Abscesses)-bram canula aspiration.Lateral sinus thrombosis (thrombus removal),Otitic hydrocephalus (epidural catheterization).Primary disease eradication:Exploration of mastoid. RESULTS Fully recovered patients without residual neurodeficit (85%), Morbidity (6%) CSF otorrhoea secondary to otitic hydrocephalus (9%) Mortality: preoperative (3%) and postoperative (6%). CONCLUSION Otological approaches for management of cases of intracranial complications of otitis media are equally comparable with results by neurosurgical approaches of management. Therefore, holding promise if applied in the rural and peripheral parts of India with limited resources even with absence of the expertise of Neurosurgical Department.