Brain herniation into the middle ear following temporal bone fracture

Acta Otolaryngol. 2005 Aug;125(8):902-5. doi: 10.1080/00016480510029266.

Abstract

Otorrhea of leaked cerebrospinal fluid and meningitis in a 33-year-old male originated from an encephalic herniation into the middle ear following traumatic temporal bone fracture. CT demonstrated a mixed-type fracture consisting of a longitudinal fracture and a posterior oblique fracture of the left temporal bone. The left tegmen tympani was broken into a bellows-like shape and a bone splinter from it had stuck in the epitympanum at the level of the incus body. Surgery via a middle cranial fossa approach confirmed penetration of the brain tissue between the incus and lateral semicircular canal. The diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed in the context of a literature review.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / diagnosis
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / etiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / surgery
  • Ear, Middle*
  • Encephalocele / diagnosis
  • Encephalocele / etiology*
  • Encephalocele / surgery
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Pneumococcal / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Pneumococcal / etiology
  • Meningitis, Pneumococcal / therapy
  • Skull Fractures / complications*
  • Skull Fractures / surgery
  • Temporal Bone / injuries*
  • Treatment Outcome