Complicated otitis media caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum

J Laryngol Otol. 2004 Jan;118(1):50-3. doi: 10.1258/002221504322731646.

Abstract

Fusobacterium necrophorum is implicated as an aetiological agent in a variety of necrotic diseases, such as Lemièrre's syndrome (LS) in humans. LS was initially described as septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein secondary to an acute oropharyngeal infection. Other primary sources of infection include parotitis, otitis media, sinusitis, odontogenic infection and mastoiditis. In the pre-antibiotic era LS carried a high mortality. This has been reduced as a result of the widespread use of antibiotics, but there is still a definite morbidity and mortality associated with infection with this virulent organism. We report three cases of complicated otitis media caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. The patients were treated successively with intravenous metronidazole and surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fusobacterium Infections / microbiology*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / therapy
  • Fusobacterium necrophorum*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lateral Sinus Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Lateral Sinus Thrombosis / microbiology*
  • Lateral Sinus Thrombosis / therapy
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Otitis Media / microbiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Metronidazole