Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation
Published on: February 29, 2020
Locked-in syndrome as an unusual complication of acute otitis media
P Hantson1, X Wittebole, P Rombaux
1Department of Intensive Care, Université catholique de Louvain, Cliniques St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium. philippe.hantson@uclouvain.be
Background:
A 32-year-old woman developed altered consciousness two days after initial symptoms of acute otitis media, with purulent discharge from the right ear. She was quadriplegic, with spontaneous eye opening, mild neck stiffness, and lacking vestibular-ocular reflexes.
Methodology:
Upon admission, the patient was subjected to brain computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and lumbar puncture.
Results:
CT was consistent with pansinusitis, right middle ear otitis, mastoiditis, and sphenoiditis. No brainstem lesion was evident; brain MRI demonstrated ischemic and secondary hemorrhagic lesions in the pons and cerebral peduncles. The dura mater in the petroclival space was intensely inflamed, and likely responsible for reduced basilar arterial blood flow. Lumbar puncture yielded clear cerebrospinal fluid; gram stain examination was negative and culture remained sterile. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were cultured from the purulent ear discharge.
Conclusion:
The final diagnosis was locked-in syndrome consecutive to inflammatory changes compressing the basilar artery.
Related Concept Videos
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Viral Meningitis
Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
