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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
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Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO): a dreaded clinical entity.
Iffat Khanum1, Dureshahwar Kanwar1, Kiren Habib1
1Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital.
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|October 16, 2024
Summary
Skull base osteomyelitis presents significant challenges, often linked to diabetes and chronic infections. This condition leads to high morbidity and mortality, with headache and cranial nerve palsies as common symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Skull base osteomyelitis (SB0) is a severe infection with substantial morbidity and mortality.
- Risk factors and clinical presentations require further elucidation for improved patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors associated with skull base osteomyelitis.
- To describe the clinical manifestations of skull base osteomyelitis.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital from July 2013 to October 2020.
- Data from 56 adult patients diagnosed with skull base osteomyelitis were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients were male (69.6%) with a mean age of 58.12 years.
- Diabetes (69.6%) was the most common comorbidity; chronic sinusitis (60.7%) and otitis media (35.7%) were frequent preceding conditions.
- Headache (68%) was the most common symptom, and fungal organisms were isolated in 59.6% of cases. Cranial nerve palsies occurred in 77% of patients.
- Mortality was high (19.6%), with sepsis significantly associated with increased mortality (p=0.008).
Conclusions:
- Skull base osteomyelitis poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- The condition is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, highlighting the need for early recognition and management.
