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Acute mastoiditis with subdural empyema

Case contributed by Kanwal Laique
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Fever and left ear pus discharge for 15 days.

Patient Data

Age: 10 years
Gender: Female

Abnormal signal intensity, low on T1WI , high on T2WI in both mastoid air cells predominantly on the left side, showing extension into the left middle ear cavity. Associated erosion of the lateral wall of mastoid on the left side with juxta-mastoid peripheral rim enhancing fluid collection corresponds to acute coalescent oto-mastoiditis with juxta mastoid abscess.

Bilateral infratentorial subdural abscesses are noted.

Right sided sigmoid sinus thrombus up to the internal jugular vein.

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates acute mastoiditis with intracranial extension demonstrating two complications of severe mastoiditis: subdural empyema and right-sided sigmoid venous thrombus.  

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