title: Spontaneous bilateral meningoencephalocoeles of the temporal bones.
abstract: Spontaneous tegmen tympani defects are rare with even rarer bilateral cases. The symptoms are nonspecific; hence, a high index of suspicion is required to prevent serious intracranial complications. We present a case of spontaneous bilateral tegmen tympani defects with associated meningoencephalocoeles in a 54-year-old male who presented with the signs and symptoms of severe meningitis. After careful workup which included a lumbar puncture, CT and MRI scans, both defects were repaired using a middle fossa approach. The patient made an uneventful recovery with complete cessation of otorrhoea and improvement in his hearing.
authors.affiliation: Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1042, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neeff
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Low