NGHIÊN CỨU ĐẶC ĐIỂM LÂM SÀNG, VI KHUẨN HỌC, KHÁNG SINH ĐỒ VÀ KẾT QUẢ ĐIỀU TRỊ ÁP XE SỤN VÀNH TAI TẠI BỆNH VIỆN TAI MŨI HỌNG TRUNG ƯƠNG

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the clinical and bacteriological characteristics and to evaluate antibiotic susceptibility patterns and treatment outcomes of auricular cartilage abscess.

Patients and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 105 patients diagnosed with auricular cartilage abscess and treated at Vietnam National ENT Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Clinical features, bacterial culture results, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were analyzed.

Results: The positive bacterial culture rate was 69.5%, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the predominant pathogen (88.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (7.8%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.6%). Antibiotic resistance varied across strains: P. aeruginosa showed high resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (78.3%) and second-generation cephalosporins, while retaining sensitivity to ceftazidime (93.8%) and fluoroquinolones (>95%). S. aureus isolates exhibited multidrug resistance but remained sensitive to vancomycin and levofloxacin. Treatment was challenging and often prolonged; 17.14% of patients required modification of antibiotic regimens, and 14.28% underwent repeat surgical drainage.

Conclusions: Auricular cartilage abscess is most commonly associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which demonstrates significant resistance to multiple antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins. Effective management requires timely surgical intervention combined with targeted antibiotic therapy guided by susceptibility testing.