Bezold's abscess in children: case report and review of the literature.

The introduction of antibiotics in the treatment of suppurative otitis media has significantly decreased the incidence of complications. Reports of Bezold's abscess secondary to this disorder are rare, particularly in infants and young children, in whom mastoid bone pneumatization is not yet complete. We present a case of Bezold's abscess occurring in a child aged 18 months. The literature is reviewed and methods to accurately diagnose this complication are emphasized.