Evaluation of Eustachian tube dimensions by temporal bone computed tomography in patients with chronic otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between Eustachian tube dimensions and chronic otitis media aetiology using temporal bone computed tomography. METHODS: The data of 231 adults who had undergone surgery for unilateral chronic otitis media were reviewed retrospectively. Diseased and healthy ears were enrolled in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Group 1A included chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (n = 28) and group 1B included chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma (n = 203). The Eustachian tube dimensions of groups 1 and 2 were compared, to clarify the relationship between the Eustachian tube dimensions and chronic otitis media aetiology. Groups 1A and 1B were compared to assess the effect of Eustachian tube dimensions on cholesteatoma development. RESULTS: The Eustachian tube was shorter, narrower and located more horizontally in ears with chronic otitis media. No significant difference was found between groups 1A and 1B. CONCLUSION: Eustachian tube dimensions are closely related to chronic otitis media aetiopathology, but are not related to cholesteatoma development.

COVID-19-associated Isolated Cortical Vein Thrombosis: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in CSF.

COVID-19 has been associated with central nervous system manifestations; however, cerebral venous thrombosis is rarely reported. A 34-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with headache and recurrent seizures; she was recently discharged after COVID-19 pneumonia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography showed cortical vein thrombosis in the right frontal lobe. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The patient was anticoagulated and put on antiepileptics. The most probable mechanism underlying the venous thrombosis is COVID-19-associated hypercoagulability. However, the relation between the viral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid analysis and the thrombosis is controversial.

Prepontine and Meckel's Cave Dermoid Cyst: MR and CT Findings with Literature Review.

Dermoid cysts (DCs) are benign, congenital tumors that comprise 0.04-0.6% of all intracranial tumors. DC rupture is a rare complication and usually occurs spontaneously. The most common localisations of intracranial DCs are the posterior fossa, and suprasellar and parasellar regions. The presentations of DCs are highly variable. They are often detected incidentally on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans while investigating the cause of seizure or headache. Prepontine cystern is a rare localisation for intracranial DCs. To the best of our knowledge, only four cases have been reported in the literature so far. We present MRI and CT findings of a patient with DC, which ruptured into the subarachnoid space extending from the right Meckel's cave to the prepontine cistern. Key Words: Dermoid cysts, Meckel's cave, Prepontine cistern, Rupture.