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Management of meningoencephalic herniation of the temporal bone: Personal experience and literature review
Author(s) -
Sanna Mario,
Paolo Fois,
Russo Alessandra,
Falcioni Maurizio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.20510
Subject(s) - medicine , temporal bone , surgery , otology , skull , middle cranial fossa , presentation (obstetrics) , middle ear , cerebrospinal fluid leak , concomitant , retrospective cohort study , cerebrospinal fluid , pathology
Objectives/Hypothesis: Temporal bone meningoencephalic herniation is a rare condition with potentially dangerous complications. The aim of this study is to analyze the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and postoperative outcome of 133 cases of surgically confirmed temporal bone meningoencephalic herniations. A review of the literature is also presented. Study Design: Retrospective case series (quaternary referral otology and skull base center). Methods: This study is based on the analysis of the collected data of 133 cases of temporal bone meningoencephalic herniations surgically treated from 1984 to 2006. The follow‐up ranged from 12 to 204 months with a mean of 38.4 months. Results: Meningoencephalic herniations were divided into four etiologic groups: spontaneous (24.8%), secondary to chronic otitis media (21.8%), iatrogenic (45.9%), and posttraumatic (7.5%). Different surgical techniques were used for treatment: transmastoid approach (27.8%), middle cranial fossa approach (27.8%), combined technique (transmastoid plus minicraniotomy, 3%), and middle ear obliteration with blind sac closure of the external auditory canal (41.4%). Conclusions: Temporal bone meningoencephalic herniations are potentially life threatening, and surgery must take place expeditiously. The choice of the most appropriate surgical approach must be based on the localization and size of the herniated tissue, preoperative auditory function, the presence of active infection, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, and concomitant pathology. Laryngoscope, 2009