Acute Otitis Media in Children Aged 0-5 Years, Epidemiological Aspects and Management in the Paediatrics Department of the Hospital National Ignace Deen (Conakry)

Introduction: Acute otitis media is an acute inflammation of the mucosa of the middle ear cavities. It is often secondary to nasopharyngitis, which favors the passage of infection through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear. The aim of our study was to improve the management of AOM in the Paediatric Department of the Hospital National Ignace Deen (Conakry). Patients and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study lasting 6 months from 01 July to 31 December 2011;the study covered 525 cases out of a total of 6276 children, i.e. a frequency of 8.36%. Results: The most affected age group was 6 to 11 months. Males predominated (69.71%). 82.29% had a history of recurrent rhinopharyngitis. The most frequent reason for consultation was incessant crying (66.29%). Rhinopharyngitis and malaria were the most commonly associated pathologies (87.62% and 39.62% respectively). 72.19% of our patients were admitted with congestive AOM and received medical treatment. We recorded one case of otomastoiditis which was treated surgically. Conclusion: AOM is more common in children aged between 6 and 24 months. Good collaboration between paediatricians and ENT specialists is essential to reduce the morbidity of AOM.

The Effect of Comfort Nursing on the Compliance and Efficacy of Treatment for Children with Acute Otitis Media Caused by Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical effect of comfort nursing on children with acute otitis media.Methods:62 children with acute otitis media caused by upper respiratory tract infection who visited the outpatient clinic of our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected for this study.They were divided into a study group(n=31)and a control group(n=31).Children in the control group received basic care,while children in the study group received comfort nursing along with basic care.The hearing thresholds,body temperature,treatment compliance,and nursing satisfaction of the two groups of children were compared.Results:After the nursing intervention,the hearing threshold and average body temperature of the children in the study group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);the treatment compliance of the children in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05);the nursing satisfaction of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comfort nursing can improve the treatment effect,treatment compliance,and nursing satisfaction of children with children with acute otitis media caused by upper respiratory tract infection.

Multi-Drug Resistant Acute Otitis Media amongst Children Attending Out-Patient Clinic in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, South-East Nigeria

Objective: The study assessed microbial etiology and multi-drug resistant profile of the pathogens isolated from children diagnosed of acute otitis media (AOM) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka. Method: Ear swab samples were collected aseptically from 40 children that visited the children out-patient clinic of the hospital. The samples were cultured within 20 minutes of collection and the isolates identified microbiologically. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Results: A total of 2025 children visited the hospital during the study period and 40 (1.98%) had clinical diagnosis of acute otitis media. Ten (25%) of the 40 samples did not yield any microbial growth. Children aged ≤one year had the highest prevalence of AOM (55%). Staphylococcus aureus (34.9%) was the predominant bacteria isolate followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30.2%) while Candida krusei (14%) was the predominant fungi isolate. All the bacterial isolates were resistant to ampicillin and coamoxiclav. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were marginally susceptible to gentamicin (60%) and sparfloxacin (73.3%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, cefuroxime, erythromycin and azithromycin. Nystatin and voriconazole had comparable effect (60%) against the fungal isolates and fluconazole was ineffective. Conclusion: The incidence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria associated with acute otitis media in the pediatric patient was very high. Empiric treatment of the infection in the community should be discouraged. AOM preventive strategies should be targeted on the very young children to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Cefprozil versus Amoxicillin/Clavulanate for the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Children: Meta-Analysis of Efficacy and Safety

Introduction: The efficacy of amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid in Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is not debatable, but studies report a high frequency of gastrointestinal adverse effects related to this intervention. In this scenario, several studies about the antibiotic cefprozil report that it has the same efficacy as amoxicillin/clavulanate for the treatment of AOM with significantly fewer side effects. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of both treatments in AOM. Methodology: We searched for clinical trials and systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses in the Cochrane Group Register and the MEDLINE database up to November 2013, comparing the two interventions mentioned. Results were expressed as a rate of treatment failures or favorable response rates (clinical and microbiological in both cases), and as the rate of adverse events. The analysis was carried out considering the fixed and random effects models. The significance level used in the test for heterogeneity was 0.05. Funnel plot was used to search for publication bias. Results: 7 clinical trials were included in the analysis and no significant difference was found for both interventions regarding clinical and bacteriological response (RR = 1.02, 95% CI, 0.97-1.06, p = 0.780 and RR = 1.02, 95% CI, 0.99-1.07, p = 0.228, respectively). However, a significant difference was found in the comparison of adverse effects, showing that amoxicillin/clavulanate has a significantly higher risk of developing side effects than cefprozil (RR = 0.52, 95% CI, 0.45-0.59, p = 0.000). Conclusion: Both treatments demonstrated equal clinical and microbiological efficacy. However, the use of cefprozil is significantly associated with a lower risk of adverse effects.

Study on the correlation between ambient environment-meteorological factors and the number of visits of acute otitis media,Lanzhou,China

To investigate the correlation between environmental-meteorological factors and daily visits for acute otitis media(AOM)in Lanzhou,China.Methods:Data were collected in 2014e2016 by the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at two hospitals in Lanzhou.Relevant information,including age,sex and visiting time,was collected.Environmental data included air quality index,PM10,PM2.5,O3,CO,NO2 and SO2,and meteorological data included daily average temperature(T,C),daily mean atmospheric pressure(AP,hPa),daily average relative humidity(RH,%)and daily mean wind speed(W,m/s).The SPSS22.0 software was used to generate Spearman correlation coefficients in descriptive statistical analysis,and the R3.5.0 software was used to calculate relative risk(RR)and to obtain exposure-response curves.The relationship between meteorological-environmental parameters and daily AOM visits was summarized.Results:Correlations were identified between daily AOM visits and CO,O3,SO2,CO,NO2,PM2.5 and PM10 levels.NO2,SO2,CO,AP,RH and T levels significantly correlated with daily AOM visits with a lag exposure-response pattern.The effects of CO,NO2,SO2 and AP on daily AOM visits were significantly stronger compared to other factors(P<0.01).O3,W,T and RH were negatively correlated with daily AOM visits.The highest RR lagged by 3e4 days.Conclusions:The number of daily AOM visits appeared to be correlated with short-term exposure to mixed air pollutants and meteorological factors from 2014 through 2016 in Lanzhou.

Risk Factors for Acute Otitis Media in Children Aged 0 to 5 Years in Parakou

Introduction: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common ENT childhood diseases. Objective: To identify risk factors for AOM in children aged 0 to 5 years. Methods: This research work was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. It focused on 2040 children aged 0 to 5 years from both sexes, who were healthy or sick, and living in the Local government of Parakou for at least one year. Those children were randomly selected in all three districts of Parakou. Results: Frequency of AOM was 2.8% and their prevalence was estimated at 16.3%. The identified risk factors were persistent or chronic cases of rhinitis, exposure to charcoal and wood smoke, low socioeconomic status, personal history of AOM, AOM history among the siblings, and children’s poor nutritional status. No relationship could be established between AOM occurrence and factors like sex, passive smoking, attendance of a day-care centre or stay in nursery, prematurity, exclusive breastfeeding and large number of siblings. Conclusion: The identification of those risk factors will help put in place appropriate measures to reduce AOM prevalence in Parakou.

Audiological characteristics and exploratory treatment of a rare condition of acute-otitis-media-associated sudden sensorineural hearing loss

BACKGROUND Acute otitis media(AOM)is a common disease that is more prevalent in children.Most studies concerning AOM-associated sudden sensorineural hearing loss are case reports and retrospective in nature,hence the etiology of AOM-associated sudden hearing loss has not been fully established.AIM To analyze audiological characteristics of AOM-associated sudden hearing loss and evaluate efficacy of combined tympanostomy tube placement(TTP)and intratympanic methylprednisolone.METHODS Eight adult patients who were diagnosed with AOM-associated sudden hearing loss and ineffectively treated by conventional medical therapy were enrolled in this study.Basic data were collected,and pure tone audiometry was performed to assess the audiological characteristics.Combination therapy with TTP and intratympanic methylprednisolone injection was given to the patients.RESULTS Mixed or sensorineural hearing loss was observed at high frequencies(2–4 kHz).All the cases in this study were cured after TTP and intratympanic methylprednisolone.After treatment,the average hearing threshold at affected frequencies was significantly lower than those in the pretreatment group(P<0.05)and was similar to that in the healthy ears(P>0.05).CONCLUSION AOM rarely induces sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Combination therapy with TTP and intratympanic methylprednisolone injection may be effective after failure of conventional medical treatment.

Nasopharyngeal colonization of otopathogens in South Indian children with acuteotitis media -- A case control pilot study

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is an inflammatory disease of the middle ear causing significantmorbidity in early childhood. A pilot study was undertaken to identify the role of various risk factorsSouth Indian children with AOM, especially the role of nasopharyngeal otopathogens.Methodology: A prospective case control pilot study was conducted in children aged below six years,presenting to a single tertiary care from 2018 to 2019. Fifty cases with AOM and 45 age and gendermatched controls were recruited. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, one was processed forbacterial culture. The other swab was processed according to the CDC recommended broth enrichmentmethod to identify carriage of S. pneumoniae. Subsequent serotyping was done by Quellung method andconventional sequential multiplex PCR.Result: Otalgia was the major presentation seen in 92% of the children with AOM. None of the clinical anddemographic characteristics were found to be statistically significant between the cases and controls. Themost common otopathogen was S. pneumoniae (55%) followed by H. influenza (29%). The commonS. pneumoniae serotypes encountered were 11A and 19F.Nasopharyngeal colonization with S. pneumoniae[OR 6.57, p < 0.003] and H. influenzae [OR14.18, p < 0.003] were significant risk factors for AOM inchildren. The risk increased with co-colonization (OR 13.89,p < 0.003).Conclusion: This study strengthens the significant association between nasopharyngeal colonization ofotopathogens and AOM as a risk factor that is enhanced by co-colonization.S. pneumoniae was the mainotopathogen in this population, serotypes 11A and 19F being the most common.

Acute coalescent mastoiditis in a 16-month-old child due to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection

Rationale:Acute otitis media is a common disease in early childhood,and is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae(S.pneumoniae).Acute mastoiditis is a complication of acute otitis media and can involve not only the mucoperiosteum of the middle ear but can also spread to the periosteum by destroying the mastoid bone(acute coalescent mastoiditis).In addition,the infection can extend through the surrounding bones or the emissary veins beyond the mastoid’s air cells,leading to subperiosteal abscesses.Patient’s Concern:A 16-month-old female patient was hospitalized due to the purulent discharge of the left ear and the symptoms of right mastoiditis(swelling and redness of the skin).Diagnosis:Bilateral acute coalescent mastoiditis caused by S.pneumoniae infection.The computer tomography revealed bilateral bone destruction of the mastoid and abscesses found behind the auricle on both sides.Interventions:The patient underwent intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical treatment.Outcomes:The patient was discharged 14 days after hospitalization with an improved condition.Lessons:Improperly treated acute coalescent mastoiditis can lead to extracranial and intracranial complications,sometimes serious and even life-threatening.Complications are prevalent in children under 2 years,in whom the disease progresses more rapidly and severely.The vaccination with a 13-valent vaccine may not result in sufficient immunity against S.pneumoniae,a predominant pathogen in children affected by acute coalescent mastoiditis.

Acute Mastoiditis Clinical Course and Management in Patients Presented to Khartoumar Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital during the Period from November 2017 to November 2019

Introduction: Acute mastoiditis is the most common complication of Acute Otitis Media (AOM) and it’s the cause of serious morbidity. There is no standard universally agreed-upon management approach to acute mastoiditis. This study aims to view the clinical presentation and management approaches in Khartoum Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital. Methodology: This is a prospective case series and a hospital-based study conducted at Khartoum Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital during the period from November 2017 to November 2019. A total of 61 patients were included in the study. Results: The median age at presentation is 5 years old, males are more affected than females with a ratio of 1.35:1, and the mean duration of symptoms prior to hospital admission was 9.6 days. The most common presenting symptoms were otalgia (83.3%), ear discharge (83.3%) and post-auricular swelling (83.3%), and the most common signs at admission were tenderness over the mastoid (95.1%), retroauricular swelling and protrusion of the auricle (82%), and redness over the mastoid (77%). The abnormal tympanic membrane was found in all patients with central perforation being the commonest finding (73.8%), and bulging tympanic membrane (21.3%). 34.4% of patients received oral antibiotics before admission and the mean duration of symptoms prior to admission increased significantly in those who received antibiotics 12.7 days in comparison to those who didn’t 8.3 days. Only 52.5% of patients had a past history of recurrent acute otitis media, and 8.2% had a past history of acute mastoiditis. All the patients with recurrent mastoiditis had a past history of recurrent acute otitis media. Computed Tomography (CT) scans were obtained for 50.8% and 83.9% of those scans showed coalescent mastoiditis. Further evidence of intracranial extension was found in 6.5% and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was obtained for them. Of the study group, 67.2% presented with subperiosteal abscess, 4.9% with facial nerve palsy and 3.3% with brain abscess. Thirteen patients with no complications were managed initially with injectable and topical antibiotics and were successful in only 6 of them (46%), abscess incisions and drainages were needed in 46 patients and were successful in 34 of them (73.9%). Eighteen patients (29.5%) needed mastoidectomy and all of them were managed successfully (100%). One patient (1.6%) was referred for intracranial abscess drainage in a specialized hospital, also one patient (1.6%) initially presented with intracranial abscess died on the second day of admission and 96.8% were discharged in good condition. The mean duration of hospital stay was 7.5 days. Conclusion: Patients present to the hospital after a prolonged period with a higher rate of complications, and the delayed presentation increased significantly in patients who received oral antibiotics prior to admission. Conservative medical treatment in non-complicated acute mastoiditis was ineffective in more than half of the patients and abscess incision and drainage and/or mastoidectomy are often necessary for the management.

Diagnosis of Middle Ear Diseases Based on Convolutional Neural Network

An otoscope is traditionally used to examine the eardrum and ear canal.A diagnosis of otitis media(OM)relies on the experience of clinicians.If an examiner lacks experience,the examination may be difficult and time-consuming.This paper presents an ear disease classification method using middle ear images based on a convolutional neural network(CNN).Especially the segmentation and classification networks are used to classify an otoscopic image into six classes:normal,acute otitis media(AOM),otitis media with effusion(OME),chronic otitis media(COM),congenital cholesteatoma(CC)and traumatic perforations(TMPs).The Mask R-CNN is utilized for the segmentation network to extract the region of interest(ROI)from otoscopic images.The extracted ROIs are used as guiding features for the classification.The classification is based on transfer learning with an ensemble of two CNN classifiers:EfficientNetB0 and Inception-V3.The proposed model was trained with a 5-fold cross-validation technique.The proposed method was evaluated and achieved a classification accuracy of 97.29%.