Skull base infection presenting with multiple lower cranial nerve palsies.
Diseases of the temporal bone causing lower cranial nerve palsies are uncommon. In the presence of bony erosion, they are highly suggestive of a malignant process. However, when there is a clear history of otitis externa in an immunocompromised or diabetic patient, a diagnosis of osteomyelitis and secondary inflammatory mass should be considered. We report 4 separate cases of infective skull base lesions causing multiple lower cranial nerve palsies in elderly patients who were not immunocompromised or diabetic, highlighting that this condition is not exclusive to this population.
Patmore
Harriet
H
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK.
Jebreel
Ala
A
Uppal
Sandeep
S
Raine
Chris H
CH
McWhinney
Paul
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019291:Skull Base / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein