Mastoiditis als Ursache einer Ataxie bei einem 11-jährigen Mädchen

The reported girl was apparently healthy until the age of eleven, when she developed an acute ataxia. One week before she suffered from acute otitis media, which was treated with antibiotics. Physical examination and laboratory findings showed no indication of a chronic or acute inflammatory process except for a mild retroaurikular pain on percussion on the right side. The tentative diagnosis was cerebillitis but MRT scan showed a severe inflammation of the right mastoid. Immediate intravenous antibiotic and steroid treatment followed, leading to complete remission. The incidence of acute mastoiditis decreased since the widespread use of antibiotics. Mastoiditis can be diagnosed on physical examination. Cranial computer tomography is the best method, if imaging techniques are required. In case of acute cerebellar ataxia in a chronological association with otitis media, acute mastoiditis should be considered.