Luc's Abscess

ASHA’ARI et al. Brunei Int Med J. 2012; 8 (5): 264bone anatomy are essential to diagnosingthese otogenic abscesses.In developed country, subperiostealabscesses are usually reported as complicationsof acute otitis media. On the otherhand, in developing or less developed nations,Luc’s abscess are often associated withchronic otitis media. One study reported thatmost of the subperiosteal mastoid abscessesencountered in developing countries developedfrom chronic otitis media in associationwith cholesteatoma. 10 Luc’s abscess oftenpresent with moderate signs of infection orinflammation (otalgia, temporomandibularpain, fever, tender fluctuation, ipsilateral cervicallymphadenopathy, leucocytosis andthrombocytosis). Most patients have little orno systemic signs.The management of Luc’s abscessinclude use of systemic and local antibiotictherapy and local surgical drainage guided byCT scan imaging findings. Abscess deep tothe temporalis muscle should be externallyaddressed with incision and drainage, and amastoidectomy may be indicated dependingon the CT scan imaging findings. CT imagingis important in evaluating the extent of thedisease. 4In conclusion, we report a case ofLuc’s abscess secondary to chronic otitis mediaas a reminder to clinicians of this condition.With the introduction of antimicrobial,Luc’s abscess has been uncommon andawareness is essential for early diagnosis. Imagingwith CT is helpful to evaluate the extentof the abscess and to guide management.REFERENCES1: Luc H. The sub-periosteal temporal abscess ofotic origin without intra‐osseous suppuration. Laryngoscope.1913; 23:999-1003.2: Zapalac JS, Billings KR, Schwade ND, Roland PS.Suppurative complications of acute otitis media inthe era of antibiotic resistance. Arch OtolaryngolHead Neck Surg. 2002; 128:660.3: Thorne MC, Chewaproug L, Elden LM. Suppurativecomplications of acute otitis media: changes infrequency over time. Arch Otolaryngol Head NeckSurg. 2009; 135:638.4: Weiss I, Marom T, Goldfarb A, Roth Y. Luc's Abscess:The Return of an Old Fellow. Otol Neurotol.2010; 31:776.5: Luc H. The sub‐periosteal temporal abscess ofotic origin without intra‐osseous suppuration. Laryngoscope.1913;23:999-1003.6: Knappe M, Gregor R. Luc's abscess: a rare complicationof middle-ear infection. J Laryngol Otol.1997; 111:461-4.7: Gurgel RK, Woodson EA, Lenkowski PW, GubbelsSP, Hansen MR. Zygomatic Root Abscess: A RareComplication of Otitis Media. Otol Neurotol. 2010;31:856.8: Gaffney R, O'Dwyer T, Maguire A. Bezold's abscess.J Laryngol Otol. 1991; 105:765-6.9: Jose J, Coatesworth AP, Anthony R, Reilly PG.Life threatening complications after partially treatedmastoiditis. BMJ. 2003; 327:41-2.10: Ibekwe A, Okoye B. Subperiosteal mastoid abscessesin chronic suppurative otitis media. AnnOtol Rhinol Laryngol. 1988; 97:373.