Osteomielitis cervical asociada a otitis crónica. Presentación de un caso

Introduction: Osteomyelitis is the infection of the osseous structures associated with the direct inoculation of microorganisms through wounds, hematogenous route from distant focus of infection or the contiguity with neighboring structures like the ears. Objective: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the need for medical follow-up of otitis media in order to avoid recurrence and complications of this disease. Case presentation: Sixty-two-year-old white woman, housewife, from Baracoa, Guantanamo Province, Cuba.  The patient had antecedents of one-year history of otitis media.  She developed cervical chronic osteomyelitis and a neurological picture that was characterized by quadriparesis and difficulty to carry out actions, which was associated with cervical osteomyelitis.  She was treated with Vancomycin and Levofloxacin during 6 months and hyperbaric oxygenation that helped her to be totally recovered after discharge from hospital. Conclusions: Inadequate treatment of otitis can cause very serious and less frequent complications such as cervical osteomyelitis, as it is presented in this case.