[Bezold's abscess with wide extension to the lateral skull base]

The case of a 72-year-old woman suffering from chronic otitis media is presented. This insulin dependent diabetic patient was under steroid therapy for collagenosis and suffered from chronic polysinusitis. After two preceding drainages of the mastoid (antrotomy and mastoidectomy), the patient developed putrid mastoiditis followed by Bezold's abscess, an epidural abscess and thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus. Lateral petrosectomy and drainage of the neck were performed, but the patient again developed an abscess with extension to the lateral skull base, the foramen magnum and the upper cervical spine. After a further operation with extensive drainage and a three-month course of antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxon, the infection finally healed. A germ of the Streptococcus milleri group was identified.