Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T09:33:19.205Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea via oval window: an obscure cause of recurrent meningitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

D.T.W. Teo ,
T.Y. Tan ,
S.P. Eng  and
Y.M. Chan
D.T.W. Teo
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
T.Y. Tan
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
S.P. Eng
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
Y.M. Chan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak via the oval window is uncommon and can result in recurrent bacterial meningitis. Current understanding of spontaneous CSF otorrhoea is reviewed and a diagnostic algorithm is presented.

A seven-year-old boy presented with bilateral congenital deafness and recurrent meningitis. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone showed a labyrinthine deformity and communication between the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the cochlea. Subtotal petrosectomy with closure of the external acoustic meatus and eustachian tube was performed. Post-operatively, the child had no further episodes of meningitis.

This rare and obscure cause of recurrent childhood meningitis requires a high index of suspicion and the use of diagnostic tools, especially HRCT.

Keywords

DeafnessMeningitisCerebrospinal Fluid OtorrhoeaPetrous BoneSurgery
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 118 , Issue 9 , September 2004 , pp. 717 - 720
Copyright
© 2004 Royal Society of Medicine Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)