Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2003 Jul;46(7):602-605.

A Case of `Silent' Subdural Abscess Detected Incidentally during the Operation of Chronic Otitis Media with Cholesteatoma

• Kim KS
• Jeon YS
• Yang TY
• Shin JS

Abstract

Antibiotic treatment for chronic middle ear infections has reduced the incidence of otogenic intracranial complication. Since CT scan became available for the diagnosis, the mortality rate was reduced to about 10%. Nevertheless, intracranial complications are among the most significant life-threatening complications of chronic middle ear infection. Early diagnosis by careful neurootologic, radiologic examination and aggressive medical and surgical treatment are required for successful management. There have been no reports in the Korean literature on otogenic intracranial complications without any preoperative symptoms or signs of intracranial spreading of infection. We experienced `silent' subdural abscess incidentally during a revision mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma. The patient was treated by removing abscess and dural repair following mastoidectomy. We report this case with a review of literatures.

Keyword

Subdural empyema; Suppurative otitis media; Cholesteatoma

MeSH Terms

Abscess*
Cholesteatoma*
Diagnosis
Ear, Middle
Early Diagnosis
Empyema, Subdural
Humans
Incidence
Mortality
Otitis Media*
Otitis Media, Suppurative
Otitis*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed