At the time of surgery for MEC, 54.5% of CLEs presented with abnormalities. The most frequent findings were retraction of the tympanic membrane (30%) and SOM, 22.4%. Also, 7% of patients presented with bilateral MEC. Thirty-four percent (20 cases) of retraction pockets diagnosed at the beginning of the observation period required surgical intervention. During the intervention in 20% of cases (12/59 cases) diagnosis of cholesteatoma was confirmed. At the end of the observation period bilateral cholesteatoma was diagnosed in 12.9% of children.

Peripheral blood monocytes are characterized by increased expression of TLRs in the course of recurrent AOM.

In patients with MEC contralateral ear should be systematically examined to detect early any abnormality, or to assess their evolution and take appropriate treatment.

Aim: The aim of the study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the medical documentation of patients treated for acute mastoiditis (AM) at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology in Bialystok and to review the available literature on this subject so as to determine optimum AM management principles. Material and methods:A retrospective analysis of 40 patients treated for AM in 2001-2017 was performed. Patient enrollment was based on the AM diagnostic criteria established by Anthonsen et al [15]. results:The mean age of the subjects was 46 months, with 37% of children being less than 2 years old. No previous episodes of acute otitis media (AOM) had been reported in 2/3 of cases. Prior to hospital admission, antibiotics had been administered to 69% of patients. In laboratory investigations, 95% of patients presented with elevated inflammation markers (CRP, leukocytosis), with the values of these markers being higher in patients qualified for surgery. Indications for computed tomography (CT) scans included lack of improvement following 48 hours of conservative treatment or the presence of symptoms of subperiosteal abscesses. CT scans were performed in 35% of patients. Conservative treatment alone was administered to 24 patients (60%); this included myringotomy with/without ventilation tube insertion and intravenous antibiotic therapy. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly used antibiotic, being administered to 75% of patients. Mastoidectomy was required in 16 patients. The most common indication (30%) for mastoidectomy consisted in the presence of subperiosteal abscess. conclusion:In non-complicated cases of AM, there is no need for routine performance of CT scans; myringotomy with or without insertion of ventilation drains should be performed and empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy should be started.In the presence of a subperiosteal abscess, a contrast-enhanced CT scan and mastoidectomy are recommended. Deterioration of patient's condition or lack of improvement after 48 hours of conservative treatment requires a CT scan being performed and the decision on potential mastoidectomy being made on the basis of the scan. Keywords:acute mastoiditis, children, acute otitis media, treatment streszczenie: cel: Celem pracy była analiza retrospektywna dokumentacji chorych leczonych z powodu ostrego zapalenia wyrostka sutkowatego (OZWS) w Klinice Otolaryngologii Dziecięcej w Białymstoku, jak również dostępnego piśmiennictwa na ten temat, w celu określenia optymalnych zasad postępowania w OZWS. Materiał i metody:Analiza retrospektywna 40 pacjentów leczonych z powodu OZWS w latach 2001-2017. Kryteria włączenia pacjentów przyjęto za Anthonsen i wsp.[15]. wyniki: Średni wiek badanych wynosił 46 miesięcy, 37% dzieci miało mniej niż 2 lata. 2/3 przypadków nie było poprzedzonych wcześniejszymi epizodami OMA. 69% chorych otrzymywało antybiotyk przed przyjęciem do szpitala. W badaniach laboratoryjnych u 95% chorych stwierdzono podwyższone wykładniki stanu zapalnego (CRP, leukocytoza), ich wartość była wyższa wśród chorych zak...

KGF and its receptor seem to play an important role in paracrine regulation of cholesteatoma growth.