Microbial spectrum, management challenges, and outcome in patients with otogenic skull base osteomyelitis.

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the spectrum and trend of causative microbial agents and to identify management challenges and the risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with confirmed otogenic skull base osteomyelitis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary-care academic center from 1999 through 2019 and included 28 adult patients with confirmed otogenic skull base osteomyelitis. Relevant data was extracted from electronic and hard patient medical files. The microbial spectrum of involved microbes was identified and correlated to management options. Deterioration risk factors were investigated using suitable statistical analysis tests. Results: Twenty-eight patients with confirmed skull base osteomyelitis were included; most were males (78.6%) and Saudis (78.6%). All patients were ≥50 years of age (mean ± SD is 69.0±10.2.4). Of 41 identified microbial isolates, 56% were bacterial, 44% were fungal. 32.1% of patients had polymicrobial infections, most patients (92.8%) had received ≥2 systemic antibiotics, 57.1% received systemic antibiotic combinations, and 32.1% underwent surgical interventions. The mean antibiotic and antifungal therapy duration was 58.3 and 45.8 days, respectively. The identified risk factors of deterioration were advanced age and concomitant cardiac failure, with P-values of .006 and .034, respectively. Conclusions: The study findings highlight the microbiological spectrum and trend of otogenic skull base osteomyelitis-causative microbes over two decades, present the management challenges, identify deterioration risk factors, and suggest tissue biopsy as the golden standard for accurately identifying causative microbes.

Diagnostic accuracy of intrathecal fluorescein versus other radiological modalities in evaluating non-congenital skull base defects: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The intraoperative detection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks during endoscopic skull base surgery is critical to ensure watertight sealed defects. Intrathecal fluorescein (ITF) is a valuable adjunct to intraoperative investigation. Hence, our aim is to summarize the evidence of the efficacy of ITF as an accurate diagnostic modality and reconstruction guide for non-congenital skull base defects. METHODS: Using the Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and Embase databases, we identified studies involving the use of ITF in non-congenital CSF leaks which were published until November 2023. The STATA 18 software was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, in which seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. ITF was used in 1898 (90.3%) of patients, with a detection rate of 88.1%. The overall detection rate of non-congenital CSF leaks among ITF concentrations of 5% and 10% had a statistically significant pooled effect size of 2.6 (95% CI = 2.25, 2.95), while when comparing the ITF to other alternative radiological tests, it was not statistically significant with a mean difference of 0.88 (95% CI = - 0.4, 2.16). Moreover, the pooled prevalence was statistically significant in regards of the complications associated with ITF with an effect size of 0.6 (95% CI = 0.39, 0.82), indicating that 60% of patients who underwent ITF would experience at least one of the measured complications. CONCLUSION: ITF is considered as an efficient tool in localizing skull base defects. However, there was no significant results when comparing the ITF to other alternative radiological tests. Accordingly, if the ITF intervention is indicated, patients should be carefully selected based on their clinical need.

Atypical site of nasopharyngeal branchial cleft cyst: A case of an unusual age presentation.

Nasopharyngeal branchial cleft cysts (NBC) are generally single, unilateral, and asymptomatic. They may get infected or produce obstructive symptoms as it enlarges. The definitive diagnosis is usually confirmed by Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology. A 54-year-old male patient presented with progressive bilateral nasal obstruction, more on the right side, associated with hyponasal voice and postnasal discharge of 2 years' duration. A cystic mass was found by nasal endoscopy on the lateral right side of the nasopharynx, extending to the oropharynx, and was confirmed with MRI findings. Uneventful total surgical excision and marsupialization were done with follow up of nasopharyngeal endoscopic examination on each visit. The pathological features and the site of the cyst were compatible with a second branchial cleft cyst. Although rare, NBC should be considered one of the differential diagnoses of nasopharyngeal tumors. Surgical excision and marsupialization are the main treatment with low complication and recurrence rates.

The Endonasal Endoscopic Approach to Different Sinonasal Fungal Balls.

Background: Fungal ball sinusitis is a sinonasal fungus ball that usually affects immunocompetent adults with female predominance. The most affected sinus is the maxillary sinus. Aspergillus species is the most typically found fungus. Computed tomography (CT) scan is the gold standard tool in order to diagnose fungal ball sinusitis. The ultimate method for a fungal ball is functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), which has a high success rate and a low morbidity rate. Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the various clinical presentations of fungal ball sinusitis including isolated maxillary sinus, sphenoid sinus, simultaneous occurrence of maxillary and sphenoid fungal ball, and post endonasal endoscopic pituitary surgery fungal ball with various age groups. Also, this study aims to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in such cases. Patients and Methods. A retrospective study that was carried in the otorhinolaryngology department of two hospitals: King Fahad Specialist Hospital and Qatif Central Hospital, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted on a total of 16 patients who were diagnosed with paranasal sinuses fungal ball in an 11-year period from January 2008 and November 2019. Results: Out of 16 patients with paranasal sinuses fungal ball, 11 cases were female and 5 males, with age ranging between 16 and 46 years. Results showed eight isolated sphenoid (50%), six isolated maxillary fungal ball (38%), one simultaneous occurrence of the sphenoid and maxillary fungal ball (6%), and one post endonasal endoscopic pituitary surgery for pituitary adenoma (6%). CT scan was performed for all 16 cases which is the standard tool for the diagnosis of the fungal ball. Conclusion: Fungal ball may present with variety of symptoms but most commonly with postnasal discharge (PND), headache, and facial pain. CT sinuses is the diagnostic radiological modality to confirm the diagnosis. The FESS functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the gold safe approach for patients with fungal ball to manage their symptoms, confirm the diagnosis, and removal of disease with no morbidities.

The Rare Occurrence of Post-tonsillectomy Surgical Emphysema.

Subcutaneous facial emphysema is a rare complication of tonsillectomy that can lead to infection, upper airway obstruction or invasion into the thorax. The latter can cause pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax, with possible subsequent cardiorespiratory function impairment. Although multiple causes are suggested in the literature, the main causative factor is still unclear. Moreover, the rationale for its management is inconsistent and the outcomes are unpredictable. We report a case of a 14-year-old pediatric male patient, known to have a hypersensitive gag reflex, who developed post-tonsillectomy cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema; management has achieved complete clinical resolution after two weeks of complication onset. Additionally, we present a literature review that showcases the potential causes and management of subcutaneous emphysema.