An chronic otitis media with effusion complicated with paravertebral abscess: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Chronic otitis media are still present and often overlooked. Our observation is interesting by the association of double purulent complications of chronic otitis media: paravertebral abscess and lateral sinus thrombosis. CASE: We report the case of a 54-year-old man with a long history of NPC, who presented to the hospital with severe right earache, associated with headache and 39°fever. CT scan and MRI assessed a complicated chronic otitis media of the middle ear by thrombophlebitis of the lateral sinus and posterior paravertebral abscess. He was put under antibiotic therapy and cortical mastoidectomy two weeks later. Nearly one-year follow up reveals a satisfactory recovery. CONCLUSION: The chronic otitis media with effusion deserves careful monitoring. The early diagnosis and adequate treatment of this life-threatening lesion may result in excellent prognosis. Especially for young people in developing countries.