PNEUMOCEPHALUS ASSOCIATED WITH OTOGENIC MENINGITIS

Abstract

Ventricular pneumocephalus was found in a 38-year-old male with cholesteatoma of the middle ear when he developed acute meningitis.
The ventricular pneumncephalus became a intracerebral pneumocephalus in about 30 days.
Radical mastoidectomy revealed a bone defect at the roof of the antrum exposing the dura mater and a fistula extending into the brain tissue.
A pathway into the intracranium at the antrum is considered to be very rare.
Culture of the otorrhea did not reveal any gas-producing microorganisms.
Granulation tissues were found extending from the orifice of Eustachian tube to the aditus ad antrum.
The authors discussed the etiology of the pneumocephalus.