[Modern characteristics of clinical course and treatment of otogenic purulent meningitis].

A total of 170 patients aged 2.5 to 60 years have received treatment for otogenic meningitis caused by acute (n=37, 21.2%) or chronic otitis media (n=137, 78.2%). Otogenic meningitis ran atypically with masked clinical manifestations in 32.2% patients. It is thought justified to repeat an antibiotic injection into the cerebrospinal canal in a severe course of meningitis, especially in combination of meningitis with other forms of intracranial complications. If clinical signs of acute otitis media and meningitis manifested weakly and, therefore, otogenic nature of meningitis is questionable, it is recommended to implement an expectant treatment policy. The absence of noticeable positive shifts in the course of the disease after several days of intensive conservative treatment is an indication for surgical intervention.