Cerebrospinal fluid leak with recurrent meningitis following tonsillectomy

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2010 Mar;5(3):302-5. doi: 10.3171/2009.10.PEDS09336.

Abstract

The authors report an unusual case of bilateral large petrous apex cephaloceles in a 14-year-old boy with a history of recurrent meningitis. Although these lesions are rare and usually asymptomatic, surgical correction is recommended if they are associated with a persistent CSF leak. In this patient, the extensive bilateral cranial defects were not adequately treated by an intracranial approach alone. Repair of a defect in the posterior pharyngeal wall, the site of a prior tonsillectomy, ultimately resulted in repair of the CSF fistula.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / diagnosis
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / etiology*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / therapy
  • Encephalocele / complications
  • Encephalocele / diagnosis*
  • Encephalocele / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis / diagnosis
  • Meningitis / etiology*
  • Meningitis / therapy
  • Petrous Bone / abnormalities*
  • Recurrence
  • Tonsillectomy / adverse effects*