Loh, R.Phua, M.Shaw, C.K.L.2020-07-102020-07-102018Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 2018; 132(2):96-1040022-21511748-5460http://hdl.handle.net/2440/126509Background: Acute mastoiditis remains the commonest intratemporal complication of otitis media in the paediatric population. There has been a lack of consensus regarding the diagnosis and management of acute mastoiditis, resulting in considerable disparity in conservative and surgical management. Objectives: To review the current literature, proposing recommendations for the management of paediatric acute mastoiditis and appraising the treatment outcomes. Method: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. Results: Twenty-one studies were included, with a total of 564 patients. Cure rates of medical treatment, conservative surgery and mastoidectomy were 95.9 per cent, 96.3 per cent and 89.1 per cent, respectively. Conclusion: Mastoidectomy may be the most definitive treatment available; however, reviewed data suggest that conservative treatment alone has high efficacy as first-line treatment in uncomplicated cases of acute mastoiditis, and conservative therapy may be an appropriate first-line management when treating acute mastoiditis.en©JLO (1984) Limited, 2017Pediatrics; otitis media; mastoiditis; abscess; otologic surgical procedures; conservative treatmentJournal article003012523710.1017/S00222151170018402-s2.0-85042472194369598