[To the differential diagnosis of cranial nerve lesions: the progressive necrotising external otitis (author's transl)]

A case of atlantoaxial instability following skull base osteomyelitis: Tips for diagnosis and management

Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare but dangerous consequence of untreated malignant otitis externa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for most cases with typical presentation. Here, we discuss a diabetic 54-year-old female presented with malignant otitis externa and bilateral facial paresis followed by cervical spondylitis and C1-C2 instability. Skull base osteomyelitis confirmed by clinical presentation, imaging, and laboratory data. Fortunately, she responded well to antibacterial and antifungal therapy. Due to limited data, there is no confirmed standard of treatment for cervical instability secondary to SBO. It seems antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment. In case of poor response to antibiotic therapy, surgical intervention is inevitable. This article introduces the first case of SBO-related AAI successfully managed with conservative treatment.

Skull Base Osteomyelitis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in Atypical Presentation

OBJECTIVE: We sought to document the diagnostic and management difficulties in masked skull base osteomyelitis secondary to malignant otitis externa, with emphasis on establishing diagnostic criteria in recurrence.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 3 cases of inadequately treated malignant otitis externa in elderly diabetic individuals leading to recurrence and atypical manifestations of skull base osteomyelitis on contralateral side with or without multiple cranial nerve involvement.

RESULTS: Two of the 3 cases died of the disease despite aggressive treatment. One case was treated successfully with combination of antipsuedamonal microbial drugs for 8 to 12 weeks and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Major complications such as thrombosis of lateral sinus and internal jugular vein, meningitis, ophthalmoplegia, blindness, cervical spine erosion and paralysis of all cranial nerves with exception of Ist cranial nerve were observed.

CONCLUSION: There is high morbitity and mortality associated with skull base osteomyelitis. In partially treated cases of malignant otitis externa, atypical symptoms and findings of unilateral severe otalgia, unremitting headache, and presence of high ESR, unilateral OME, constitute diagnostic clues of skull base osteomyelitis. Such cases require further investigation with CT, MRI, Technetium 99 and gallium 67 scintigraphy and aggressive management.

Bilateral skull base osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient

A 75-year-old immunocompetent man presented to our office with right otalgia. After a comprehensive workup, he was found to have right temporal bone osteomyelitis and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He then began to experience left-sided otalgia and was diagnosed with and treated for left temporal bone osteomyelitis. Subsequently, he began to exhibit myelopathic symptoms, and imaging revealed a C2 inflammatory process. The patient underwent endoscopic transoral odontoidectomy with resection of a large C1 to C2 pannus and recovered with no neurologic deficit. Skull base osteomyelitis is an uncommon condition that usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of utmost importance in managing this condition.