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. 2025 Jul 21;21(4):1-6.
doi: 10.5152/iao.2025.251899.

Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: Which Factors Influence CT Scan Prescription and Surgical Intervention? A Multivariate Analysis

Daniela Lucidi  1 , Marella Reale  1 , Carla Cantaffa  1 , Leonardo Roncadi  1 , Ilaria Frabboni  2 , Lorenzo Iughetti  2 , Ignacio Javier Fernandez  3   4 , Matteo Alicandri-Ciufelli  1 , Daniele Marchioni  1
Affiliations

Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: Which Factors Influence CT Scan Prescription and Surgical Intervention? A Multivariate Analysis

Daniela Lucidi et al. J Int Adv Otol. .

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate factors associated with computed tomography (CT) scan prescription and surgical intervention in pediatric patients with acute mastoiditis (AM). METHODS: Children with AM admitted to Modena University Hospital over a 10-year period were retrospectively divided into 3 groups: those who did not undergo a CT scan nor surgery (Group A); those who underwent a CT scan but not surgery (Group B); and those who underwent CT scan and surgery (Group C). A multivariate analysis was performed to determine possible differences among groups in terms of clinical and laboratory variables. RESULTS: In total, 80 patients were included (57 Group A, 22 Group B, 13 Group C). Factors independently associated with CT scan prescription and surgical intervention were WBC count (P = .015 and .041, respectively), CRP (P = .001 and .003, respectively), and at-home antibiotic adminis-tration (P= .008 and .039, respectively). CONCLUSION: Laboratory parameters may be helpful in guiding pediatric AM management. Antibiotic treatment prior to admission is associated with a worse clinical picture.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Clinical flowchart of included patients. OLST, otogenic Lateral sinus thrombosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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