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Otomastoiditis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria: report of 16 cases, 3 with infection intracranially

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2015

L Lundman ,
H Edvardsson  and
K Ängeby
L Lundman*
Affiliation:
Department of OtorhinolaryngologyCentral Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden
H Edvardsson
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden
K Ängeby
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Lars Lundman, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital, SE-651 85 Karlstad, Sweden Fax: +46 542 16428 E-mail: lars.lundman@liv.se
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Abstract

Objective:

To analyse the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome in patients diagnosed with otomastoiditis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Methods:

A retrospective case review of 16 patients diagnosed with otomastoiditis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria from 2000 to 2012 was conducted in a hospital and tertiary referral centre in Sweden. The main outcome measures were microbiology findings, and surgical and medical interventions and outcomes. In addition, the relevant literature was reviewed.

Results:

In three patients with otomastoiditis, the disease had spread intracranially. The bacteriological findings revealed Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 12), Mycobacterium fortuitum (n = 2) and Mycobacterium avium complex (n = 2). Surgical treatment was undertaken in all but three patients, including exploration of the temporal lobe in one patient. Systemic antibiotic treatment was given to all but one patient. Eight patients healed completely. Eight patients developed hearing loss. Two patients had relapse of the mycobacterial infection several months after the antibiotic treatment had been discontinued.

Conclusion:

Non-tuberculous otomastoiditis is a severe ear disease with challenging considerations, and should be treated aggressively in order to avoid morbidity.

Keywords

Otitis MediaMastoiditisNontuberculous MycobacteriaBrain Abscess

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 7 , July 2015 , pp. 644 - 655
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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