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Skull base osteomyelitis and potential cerebrovascular complications in children

Mariasavina Severino1, Sidath Liyanage, Vas Novelli

  • 1Neuroradiology Department, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Largo G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.

Pediatric Radiology
|March 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Skull base osteomyelitis is a severe infection, often difficult to diagnose. This pictorial essay details its imaging findings and complications, crucial for timely treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare but serious infection affecting the base of the skull.
  • It predominantly impacts elderly, immunocompromised individuals but can occur in children.
  • Infections can be typical (ear-related, temporal bone) or atypical (sinus-related, clivus).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a comprehensive overview of imaging findings in skull base osteomyelitis.
  • To illustrate the diverse spectrum of potential complications associated with this infection.
  • To enhance diagnostic accuracy and understanding of skull base osteomyelitis through radiological examples.

Main Methods:

  • This is a pictorial essay, focusing on the visual representation of imaging findings.
  • The study reviews various imaging modalities used to diagnose skull base osteomyelitis.
  • Case examples are implicitly used to demonstrate typical and atypical presentations and complications.

Main Results:

  • Imaging findings vary depending on the type and cause of osteomyelitis.
  • Common pathogens include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus species.
  • Complications range from abscesses and cranial neuropathies to vascular involvement like sinovenous thrombosis.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis of skull base osteomyelitis relies on recognizing characteristic imaging patterns.
  • Early identification of complications is vital for effective management and improved patient outcomes.
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for managing this complex infection.

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