Bezold's abscess in children: case report and review of the literature

The introduction of antibiotics in the treatment of suppurative otitis medi a has significantly decreased the incidence of complications. Reports of Be zold's abscess secondary to this disorder are rare, particularly in infants and young children, in whom mastoid bone pneumatization is not yet complet e. We present a case of Bezold's abscess occurring in a child aged 18 month s. The literature is reviewed and methods to accurately diagnose this compl ication are emphasized. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights r eserved.