PRESENTATION AND BACTERIOLOGICAL PATTERN OF PREAURICULAR SINUS INFECTION / ABSCESS IN NIGERIA

Background: Some patients with pre-auricular sinus get severe discomfort and disturbance of daily activities. This study was carried out to identify the presentation, common micro-organisms responsible and there sensitivity pattern to assist in controlling the infection before surgical excision. Methods: This was a prospective study of all patients with pre-auricular sinus infection/abscess that were seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, between January 2007 and May, 2012. Data collected from the patients included their symptoms, signs, and microscopy, culture and sensitivity results of the discharge from the abscess. Results: Thirteen patients with pre auricular sinus abscess were seen during the study period attending the Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck surgery Clinic. There were 3 males and 10 females with a male to female ratio of 1: 3.3. Ages ranged from 4 to 32 years, with a mean age of 17.46 years. Recurrent pain, swelling and discharge from the pre-auricular sinus were the common symptoms, while an abscess located in front of the ear with purulent discharge was the main sign elicited. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest micro-organism implicated while gentamycin, followed by ofloxacin, cefuroxime and augmentin were the most sensitive antibiotics to the pre-auricular sinus isolates. Conclusion: Recurrent swelling and discharge are the most common presentations of an infected pre-auricular sinus. Staphylococcus aureus is the commonest organism isolated while gentamycin the most sensitive antibiotic to pathogenic organisms isolated from pre-auricular sinus abscess