Introduction
Bezold¡¯s abscess is a rare potentially life-threatening deep neck
abscess complication of otomastoiditis. Primary tuberculous
otomastoiditis is a rare temporal bone complication which comprises
only 0.04-0.9% of all chronic otitis media cases. A concomitant
tuberculous otomastoiditis and bezold¡¯s abscess is very rare with
currently few reports up to this day.
Objective
To present a rare case of Bezold¡¯s Abscess with Drug Resistant
Tuberculous otomastoiditis in a 20-year-old Male and its dilemma on
prompt recognition and management.
Results
A 20-year-old male presented with a three-month history of right
otorrhea. This was not associated with otalgia, tinnitus, hearing
loss, facial asymmetry, fever, and chills. He was initially treated
with antibiotic which afforded minimal symptom relief.
Physical examination revealed a perforated tympanic membrane with
purulent discharge and right fluctuant lateral neck mass. Temporal
bone and neck CT scan revealed soft tissue mass occupying the right
external auditory canal, abscess formation at the right perivertebral
and posterior cervical space, thinned out tegmen tympani and eroded
middle ear structures. The patient underwent canal wall down
mastoidectomy and incision and drainage of neck abscess. Lateral Neck
Abscess and Temporal Bone Tissue studies revealed Mycobacterium
tuberculosis which was Rifampicin-resistant and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. The postoperative period was unremarkable. The patient was
started on Levofloxacin-Bedaquiline-Linezolid-Clofazamine. He was
registered under the SLORD FQ-S (Standard Long Oral Regimen for
Fluoroquinolone Susceptible). On follow-up, patient had good secondary
intention healing with the resolution of otorrhea.
Discussion
Our index case presented with tuberculous otomastoiditis complicated
with Bezold¡¯s abscess and with Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate. It
posted a dilemma in diagnosis as the patient¡¯s clinical presentation
mimics that of common pathologies such as a cervical reactive
lymphadenitis. This eventually also contributed to the dilemma of
management due to the delay of proper initiation of surgical
intervention. Transpired events led to a middle ear erosion to form a
cervical abscess progressing to a Bezold¡¯s abscess. Case reports
mentioned a mastoidectomy should be done urgently especially if
complications are present. This is in addition to cervical drainage of
the abscess. The patient underwent an mastoidectomy, incision and
drainage of lateral neck abscess. The presence of Mycobacterium
Tuberculosis in the specimen is a rare occurrence, ever more so that
it was resistant to the usual six-month medical therapy which includes
Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol (HRZE). The patient
was deemed eligible to be enrolled in the SLOR FQ-S (Standard Long All
Oral Regimen for Fluoroquinolone Susceptible Strains) program of the
country. This entails a six-month regimen of Levofloxacin-Bedaquiline-
Linezolid-Clofazamine, followed by 12-14 months of Levofloxacin-
Linezolid-Clofazamine.
Bezold¡¯s abscess is a complication which resulted in abscess pocket
formation, thinned out tegmen tympani, and eroded middle ear
structures which mandates continued postoperative care and close
monitoring. This degree of an event is due to the paucity of
occurrence. The lack of published local data and international data at
present resulted in a low index of suspicion in clinicians. No
standardized guidelines have been published addressing the timely
diagnosis and management. This case also highlighted the importance of
proper coordination with the National Tuberculosis Control Program by
the Department of Health for patient registry and monitoring of
treatment status of confirmed patients.
Recommendations
Tuberculous otitis media with concomitant Bezold¡¯s abscess is
a possible sequela of untreated otitis media. For countries where
tuberculosis is still endemic, a high level of suspicion for
tuberculous otomastoiditis is warranted for cases of complicated
otitis media.
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