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Parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection: an unusual complication of temporal bone fracture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2010

C Kirton  and
A Guidera
C Kirton*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand
A Guidera
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Christopher Kirton, Department of Otolaryngology, Auckland Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand Fax: +64 9 375 7094 E-mail: chkirton@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We present an unusual case of parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection causing upper airway obstruction following a temporal bone fracture.

Method:

Case report and literature review of temporal bone fracture associated with parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection.

Results:

A 19-year-old man presented with cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea and temporal bone fracture following a head injury. He was discharged after 48 hours of observation. The patient returned within 6 hours with sudden unilateral neck swelling and stridor after blowing his nose. Flexible nasendoscopy and computed tomography showed extrinsic compression of the pharynx, with partial upper airway obstruction. A literature review using Pubmed™ and Medline™ identified no previously reported cases of parapharyngeal cerebrospinal fluid collection associated with temporal bone fracture.

Conclusion:

This case illustrates a previously undescribed complication of temporal bone fracture. Raised intracranial pressure in the presence of a cerebrospinal fluid fistula may lead to airway obstruction, following temporal bone fracture.

Keywords

Temporal BoneFractureCerebrospinal Fluid OtorrheaAirway ObstructionMeningitis
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 3 , March 2011 , pp. 321 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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Footnotes

Presented at the 63rd Annual General and Scientific Meeting of the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2–5 March 2010, Paihia, New Zealand

References

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