[Cranioencephalic complications of middle ear cholesteatoma: report of 4 cases].

Introduction: Cranial and intracranial complications can be observed during middle ear cholesteatoma's evolution. We report our experience of management of infectious cholesteatoma's cranioencephalic complications.

Material and methods: In a three year period, we had consecutively admitted 4 patients with cranioencephalic complications of middle ear cholesteatoma, in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department of the university teaching hospital of Dakar. After preoperative investigations with computed tomography scan (CT scan) of brain and temporal bone. The patients had been operated after paraclinic assessment.

Results: The finding showed one case of temporal bone otogenic extensive osteomyelitis with multifocal extradural empyema, 3 cases of brain abscess associated with subdural empyema and meningitis in 1 case. For 3 patients (75%), neurosurgical drainage and mastoidectomy were performed, associated with antibiotic treatment. The mastaidectomy was performed in the same time of the surgical procedure or delayed. One patient, with brain abscess, died before surgical intervention. With a follow up of 15 months, we have noticed stable mastoidectomies cavities and no neurological recurrence symptoms.

Conclusion: These complications can be prevented by early treatment of chronic otitis media diseases. The appropriated management of these complications necessitate collaboration between otorhinolaryngologists and neuro surgeons.