Bezold's abscess is an
abscess deep to the
sternocleidomastoid muscle where pus from
mastoiditis erodes through the cortex of the
mastoid part of the temporal bone, medial to the attachment of sternocleidomastoid, extends into the infratemporal fossa, and deep to the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia. It is a rare complication of acute
otitis media
Otitis media is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. One of the two main types is acute otitis media (AOM), an infection of rapid onset that usually presents with ear pain. In young children this may result in pulling at the ear, ...
.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
* Severe pain in perimastoid region
* Difficulty in swallowing (
dysphagia
Dysphagia is difficulty in swallowing. Although classified under " symptoms and signs" in ICD-10, in some contexts it is classified as a condition in its own right.
It may be a sensation that suggests difficulty in the passage of solids or liqu ...
)
*
Sore throat
Sore throat, also known as throat pain, is pain or irritation of the throat. Usually, causes of sore throat include
* viral infections
* group A streptococcal infection (GAS) bacterial infection
* pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat)
* t ...
* Difficulty in breathing (
dyspnoea
Shortness of breath (SOB), also medically known as dyspnea (in AmE) or dyspnoea (in BrE), is an uncomfortable feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. The American Thoracic Society defines it as "a subjective experience of breathing dis ...
)
*
Nuchal rigidity
*
Fever
Fever, also referred to as pyrexia, is defined as having a temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature set point. There is not a single agreed-upon upper limit for normal temperature with sources using val ...
Diagnosis
CT scan of mastoid and swelling of the neck.
Differential diagnosis should include:
* Acute upper jugular lymphadenitis
* Abscess or mass in Lower part of parotid
* Infected branchial cyst
* Parapharyngeal abscess
* Jugular vein thrombosis
Treatment
Cortical mastoidectomy for mastoiditis. Exploration of fistulous opening into the soft tissues of neck. Drainage of the neck abscess from a separate incision and insertion of a drain. Administration of intravenous antibiotics guided by the culture and sensitivity of the pus.
Eponym
It is named after
Friedrich Bezold
Friedrich Bezold (9 February 1842 – 5 October 1908) was a German otologist and professor at the University of Munich. He made several contributions to early audiology.
He is best known for developing hearing tests with tuning forks and his work ...
(
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
otologist, 1842–1908).
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bezold's Abscess
Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
pl:Ropień Bezolda