The most common extracranial complication of chronic suppurative otitis media is:

• A Postauricular subperiosteal abscess ✓
• B Bezold abscess
• C Facial nerve paralysis
• D Labyrinthitis

Explanation

Pus breaking through the thin outer cortex of the mastoid, usually over MacEwen's triangle, collects under the periosteum behind the auricle, producing the classic postauricular subperiosteal abscess with forward and outward displacement of the pinna. This is the most frequent extracranial complication of both acute and chronic otitis media. B Bezold abscess requires penetration through the medial side of the mastoid tip along the digastric ridge into the neck and is far less common.

Reference: Dhingra, Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.