Fistula between the middle ear and subarachnoid space as a cause of recurrent meningitis: detection by means of thin-section, complex-motion tomography.
Recurrent meningitis due to a fistula between the subarachnoid space and the middle ear or mastoid cavities has various causes, including congenital anomalies, trauma, and infection. Five cases are described in which thin-section, complex-motion tomograms showed bony abnormalities which suggested both the site and cause of the fistula. Accurate determination of the site of the fistula with this technique facilitated appropriate surgical correction in each patient. Meningitis has not recurred in any of the cases.
D000368:Aged; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray