title: Parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection: an unusual complication of temporal bone fracture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present an unusual case of parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection causing upper airway obstruction following a temporal bone fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and literature review of temporal bone fracture associated with parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 19-year-old man presented with cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea and temporal bone fracture following a head injury. He was discharged after 48 hours of observation. The patient returned within 6 hours with sudden unilateral neck swelling and stridor after blowing his nose. Flexible nasendoscopy and computed tomography showed extrinsic compression of the pharynx, with partial upper airway obstruction. A literature review using Pubmed™ and Medline™ identified no previously reported cases of parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection associated with temporal bone fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case illustrates a previously undescribed complication of temporal bone fracture. Raised intracranial pressure in the presence of a cerebrospinal fluid fistula may lead to airway obstruction, following temporal bone fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand. chkirton@gmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guidera
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004646:Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D038781:Otoscopy; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol