Traumatic cholesteatoma presenting as a brain abscess: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the clinical aspects and management of traumatic cholesteatomas of the temporal bone.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University hospital, tertiary referral center.


RESULTS
The authors describe an uncommon case of otogenic brain abscess resulting from an infected cholesteatoma arising from an old temporal bone fracture line involving the external auditory canal in an otherwise healthy 21-year-old man. The patient was successfully treated with brain abscess drainage, tympanomastoidectomy, and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors recommend long-term follow-up in any patient with a longitudinal or mixed temporal bone fracture with low threshold for obtaining temporal bone computer tomography imaging for any new otologic complaints. Traumatic cholesteatomas complicated by brain abscess should be treated with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy and aggressive surgical intervention.
Majmundar
Kshitij
K
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and Physicians, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. mmajmundar@yahoo.com
Shaw
Travis
T
Sismanis
Aristides
A
D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D010462:Peptostreptococcus; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014433:Tympanoplasty