The Association of COVID-19 Pandemic with the Increase of Sinogenic and Otogenic Intracranial Infections in Children: a 10-Year Retrospective Comparative Single-Center Study

Sunday, May 5, 2024

4:41 PM – 4:43 PM CT

Location: S405b

Presenting Author(s)

Mohammed Issa, Sr., 203370 (he/him/his)

Resident
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, DE

Co-Author(s)

IB

Ingo Baumann, n/a

Senior physician
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States
AE

Ahmed El Damaty, n/a

Attending physician
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg, Germany
SE

Sara Euteneuer, n/a

Senior Physician
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States
MG

Martin Grutza, n/a

Resident
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
VK

Vasiliki Kalliri, n/a

Physician
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
AK

Arne Krümpelmann, n/a

Physician
Department of Pediatrics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States
PL

Pavlina Lenga, n/a

Resident
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
JN

Jan-Oliver Neumann, n/a

Senior Physician
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
MS

Moritz Scherer, n/a

Senior Physician
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States
AS

Angelika Seitz, n/a

Senior Physician
Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
OS

Olaf Sommerburg, n/a

Attending Physician
Department of Pediatrics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States
SS

Steffen Syrbe, n/a

Senior Physician
Department of Pediatrics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States
AU

Andreas W. W. Unterberg, n/a

Emeritus
Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
JW

Jens H. Westhoff, n/a

Attending Physician
Department of Pediatrics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, United States

Disclosure(s):

Mohammed Issa, 203370, Sr.: No financial relationships to disclose

Introduction: Otitis media and sinusitis are common childhood infections, typically mild with good outcomes. Recent studies show a rise in intracranial abscess cases in children, raising concerns about a link to COVID-19. This study compares a decade of data on these cases before and after the pandemic.

Methods: This retrospective comparative analysis includes pediatric patients diagnosed with otitis media and sinusitis, who later developed intracranial abscesses over the past decade. We collected comprehensive data on the number of cases, patient demographics, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes.

Results: Between January 2013 and July 2023, our center identified 10 pediatric patients (median age 11.1years, range 2.2 – 18.0 years, 60% male) with intracranial abscesses from otitis media and sinusitis. Of these, 7 cases (70%, median age 9.7 years, range 2.2 – 18.0 years) occurred since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the remaining 3 cases (30%, median age 13.3 years, range 9.9 – 16.7 years) were treated before the pandemic. No significant differences were found in otolaryngological associations, surgical interventions, preoperative symptoms, lab findings, or postoperative antibiotics between the two groups. All patients showed positive long-term recovery.

Conclusion : This study reveals 5-fold increase of pediatric otogenic and sinogenic intracranial abscess cases in the last three-years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While further investigation is needed, these findings raise important questions about potential connections between the pandemic and the severity of otitis media and sinusitis complications in children. Understanding these associations can improve pediatric healthcare management during infectious disease outbreaks.