Incidence and severity of sinus vein thrombosis as a complication of acute otitis media in children in Cyprus during the late COVID-19 pandemic period

 

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized, among other things, by a change in the occurrence of other infectious diseases. The aim of the present work was to record the cases of children with sinus vein thrombosis after acute otitis media in the pediatric population during the late phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and methods All pediatric patients in the late phase of the Covid-19 pandemic (March 2022 - April 2023) with sinus vein thrombosis as a complication of acute otitis media were recorded. The retrospective analysis included the diagnostic and therapeutic process, as well as the therapeutic outcome for each patient.

Results During the period examined, five cases of sinus vein thrombosis following acute otitis media were identified in children between 3 and 5 years of age (including two girls and three boys). All children were treated with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy. In addition, the complications were treated surgically with tympanostomy tube insertion, mastoidectomy and drainage of the epidural abscess in the area of sigmoid sinus. In two cases, otitic hydrocephalus developed, which in both cases was treated with lumboperitoneal shunt. The rest of the course was uneventful in all patients.

Conclusion For the small population of Cyprus (approx. 1 million), the present patient cohort represents an interesting example of the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced other infectious diseases.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 April 2024

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