Intracranial suppurative complications of ear, nose and throat infections: a single-centre cohort study of 65 patients

Abstract

In the Picardie region of northern France, the prevalence of intracranial suppurative complications (particularly empyema) of ear, nose and throat infections seems to have increased over the last 10 to 15 years.

Three possible reasons for the increased incidence in this region are the inappropriate use of antibiotics, low socioeconomic status, and poor access to high-quality healthcare.

Intracranial complications affect both sexes and all ages.

If a patient suffering from sinusitis or (especially) otitis media complains of headache, the possible presence of an intracranial suppurative complication must be always be considered and should prompt immediate medical imaging (a cranial CT scan and MRI) for confirmation of the diagnosis.

Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary pharmacological and surgical management (focused on the intracranial complication) should enable complete recovery in more than three quarters of these cases

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