Can otitis media cause death?

Can otitis media cause death?

Intracranial complications due to otitis media such as brain abscess and leptomeningitis are well known as a cause of death. In recent years, encountering those serious intracranial complications in forensic medical practice is extremely rare.

Is otitis media life threatening?

Acute otitis media is a widespread disease affecting all ages. The introduction of antibiotics has led to a reduction in the incidence of complications from approx. 17% to 1%. Nevertheless, life-threatening complications still occur.

What are the complications of otitis media?

Otitis media (OM) is the most common illness of childhood, and its management is a controversial topic. Serious complications of acute otitis media (AOM) include meningitis, brain abscesses, epidural abscesses, mastoiditis, permanent sensorineural hearing loss, and death.

What are intracranial complications of otitis media?

Intracranial complications secondary to chronic otitis media (COM) include extradural abscess, subdural abscess, meningitis (with or without encephalitis), otogenic brain abscess, and lateral or sigmoid sinus thrombosis.

Can ear infections damage brain?

Ear infections can lead to meningitis, brain abscess and other neurological complications. Summary: While antibiotics have greatly reduced the dangers of ear infections, serious neurological complications, including hearing loss, facial paralysis, meningitis and brain abscess still occur.

Can otitis media Spread To Brain?

The deadliest complication of otitis media is a brain abscess, an accumulation of pus in the brain due to an infection. The most common symptoms are headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, neurologic deficits and altered consciousness.

What is the symptoms of otitis media?

Symptoms may include:

• Unusual irritability.
• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.
• Tugging or pulling at one or both ears.
• Fever, especially in infants and younger children.
• Fluid draining from ear(s)
• Loss of balance.
• Hearing difficulties.
• Ear pain.

What are the five risk factors for otitis media?

The following are proven risk factors for otitis media:

• Prematurity and low birth weight.
• Young age.
• Early onset.
• Family history.
• Race – Native American, Inuit, Australian aborigine.
• Altered immunity.
• Craniofacial abnormalities.
• Neuromuscular disease.