Osteomyelitis of the base of the skull

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Laryngoscope; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-198603000-00003· OSTI ID:5741468

Chandler, J R; Grobman, L; Quencer, R; Serafini, A

Infection in the marrow of the temporal, occipital, and sphenoid bones is an uncommon, but increasing occurrence. It is usually secondary to infections beginning in the external auditory canal and is caused almost uniformly by the gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Technetium and gallium scintigraphy help in the early detection of such infections while CT scans demonstrate dissolution of bone in well-developed cases. Headache is the predominant symptom. Dysphagia, hoarseness, and aspiration herald the inevitable march of cranial nerves. We have diagnosed and treated 17 cases of osteomyelitis of the skull base. Although the total mortality rate is 53%, it is now a curable disease. Six of our last 8 patients remain alive, although 1 is still under treatment. Treatment is medical and requires the long-term concomitant intravenous administration of an aminoglycoside and a broad spectrum semisynthetic penicillin effective against the causative organism.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Miami School of Medicine, FL
• OSTI ID: 5741468
• Journal Information: Laryngoscope; (United States), Journal Name: Laryngoscope; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN LARYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
BACTERIA
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
DRUGS
ELEMENTS
GALLIUM
HOURS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
OSTEOMYELITIS
PATIENTS
PSEUDOMONAS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTISCANNING
SKELETAL DISEASES
SKELETON
SKULL
SYMPTOMS
TECHNETIUM 99
TECHNETIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES