A neglected case of chronic suppurative otitis media presented with a chest wall abscess

Abstract

The objective of the study was to present a neglected case of chronic suppurative otitis media presented to us with a chest wall abscess. We encountered a case of complicated chronic suppurative otitis media in a 16-year-old male, who presented with abscess extending from the mastoid region up to the ipsilateral chest. Incision and drainage of the chest wall and mastoid abscess was under local anesthesia and approximately 250 ml pus was collected. The patient was given intravenous injections of meropenem and regular dressings. Right modified radical mastoidectomy with type 3 tympanoplasty was performed under general anesthesia after four weeks. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6. The case is an eye-opener as having several complications at the time of presentation that reflects inattention at the community level health provider and patient. Through this article, we emphasis on early diagnosis and proper management of disease so as to avoid life-threatening complications. High index of suspicion and timely intervention is needed for any patient presenting with neck or chest swelling as it may be a complication of COM.