Osteoradionecrosis of the petrous bone and recurrent cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea

Abstract

A case is reported of delayed necrosis of the petrous bone following a course of radiotherapy for a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in a 60-year-old female who presented with recurrent intractable cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea, meningitis and pneumocephalus. Multiple attempts at surgical repair of the necrosed dural deficit and tegmental fistula failed and eventually petrousectomy was necessary leading to a successful outcome.

Key Words:

• Cerebrospinal fluid leak
• meningitis
• osteoradionecrosis
• otological malignancies
• petrous bone
• petrousectomy
• pneumocephalus
• radiotherapy