Acute otitis media in an infant complicated with osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint and sub-periosteal abscess of the clavicle

Abstract

Abstract Background Otomastoiditis is a very frequent affection and a current complication of mal-treated benign ear infections in children. However, this a very rare case of the association of two rare complications of otomastoiditis in a newborn. On the one hand, septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint which is a very rare condition that is difficult to diagnose, and when unrecognized or not treated accordingly, it can resolve in serious infectious complication and or definitive injury to the temporomandibular joint. On the other hand, osteomyelitis of the clavicle is also very rare, and only a few cases have been cited in the literature concerning infants. Case presentation This 46-day-old infant was brought to pediatric emergency consultation for 2 swelling inflammatory bulges, one in the right mastoid and pre-auricular regions, and another in the right basi-cervical area. The infant was hypertrophic febrile, hypotonic, and pale. He had preserved archaic reflexes. Besides, blood test showed an inflammatory syndrome, inflammatory anemia, and no other abnormalities. Upon supplementary computed tomodensitometry exam, the diagnosis of a combination of septic arthritis of the right temporomandibular joint and sub-periosteal abscess of the ipsilateral clavicle in a context of hypotrophy and malnutrition was suspected. A pus sample was obtained for bacteriological evaluation, after which the infant had a course of intravenous associated antibiotics, along with nutritional assessment and management. Surgical drainage of both collections was performed. The 6-month follow-up was satisfactory, without clinical signs of functional impact on temporomandibular joint, or acromioclavicular joint. Conclusion This work stresses the necessity of thorough clinical examination of infants even in cases of benign ear infections, as well as the importance of adapted treatment and follow-up, which could allow early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, or even prevention of severe complications that can be associated with such benign conditions.