Otomastoiditis in children: trends over the last 10 years

Authors

  • Carla Araújo Ribeiro Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Braga, Portugal
  • Ana Sousa Menezes Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Braga, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5099-3811
  • Marcelo Coelho Escola de Medicina da Universidade do Minho, Portugal
  • Alina Mártin Fernandes Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Braga, Portugal
  • Sara Martins Pereira Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Braga, Portugal
  • Luís Dias Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Braga, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9630-5463

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.3097

Keywords:

Otomastoiditis, children, trend, mastoidectomy

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the evolution of otomastoiditis cases in children admitted to a tertiary hospital over the past 10 years.
Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study.
Material and Methods: Clinical and demographic data were analyzed for all children hospitalized for otomastoiditis between January 2014 and December 2023 in Hospital de Braga.
Results: A total of 100 children were evaluated (63% male; mean age 44.5±39.2 months). The main complications included subperiosteal abscess (28%) and sigmoid sinus thrombosis (7%). Surgical treatment was required in 77% of cases. A significant increase in the number of cases and surgical interventions was observed over the decade; however, the annual average varied between 9.3±3.7 cases/year in the pre-pandemic period, 4.6±1.4 during the pandemic, and 17±1.4 in the post-pandemic period.
Conclusions: Otomastoiditis cases have increased in recent years, with a temporary reduction during the pandemic. Continuous monitoring of the epidemiological evolution is essential to understand the trends in this condition.

 

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Published

2025-09-13

How to Cite

Ribeiro, C. A., Menezes, A. S., Coelho, M., Mártin Fernandes, A., Pereira, S. M., & Dias, L. (2025). Otomastoiditis in children: trends over the last 10 years. Portuguese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 63(3), 287–294. https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.3097

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Original Article