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Chronic serous otitis media as a manifestation of temporal meningioma
S Keereweer1, R M Metselaar, R Dammers
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. s.keereweer@erasmusmc.nl
Abstract:
Chronic serous otitis media is a common problem in the daily routine of the otorhinolaryngologist. In the majority of cases, the cause is related to dysfunction of the eustachian tube due to viral or bacterial rhinitis and occasionally to nasopharyngeal tumors. We report a case of a patient presenting with chronic serous otitis media that was resistant to conventional therapy. MRI with gadolinium finally revealed that the middle ear fluid was caused by leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to bone destruction by a temporal meningioma. The CSF leakage was closed by surgery. Histopathology confirmed meningioma in the temporal bone.
Insights
A rare cause of chronic otitis media was identified as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage due to a temporal bone meningioma. Surgical repair resolved the middle ear fluid, highlighting the importance of advanced imaging for resistant cases.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Chronic serous otitis media commonly presents to otorhinolaryngologists.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction, often due to rhinitis or nasopharyngeal tumors, is the usual cause.
- This case involved chronic otitis media resistant to standard treatments.
Observation:
- A patient with persistent middle ear effusion was evaluated.
- Conventional therapies for otitis media were ineffective.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with gadolinium was performed.
Findings:
- MRI revealed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage into the middle ear.
- The leakage resulted from bone erosion caused by a temporal meningioma.
- Histopathology confirmed the temporal bone meningioma.
Implications:
- Temporal meningiomas can present atypically as chronic otitis media.
- Advanced imaging like MRI is crucial for diagnosing rare causes of middle ear effusions.
- Surgical intervention for CSF leaks can resolve resistant otitis media.
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