OSTEOMYELITIS OF THE BASISPHENOID AND BASIOCCIPUT WITH MENINGITIS AND CRANIAL NERVE PALSIES AS A COMPLICATION OF NASOPHARYNGEAL PACKING FOR CONTROL OF EPISTAXIS: Report of a Case with Recovery

Abstract

OUR PURPOSE in reporting this case is to call attention to the serious complications which may follow the use of nasopharyngeal packing for control of epistaxis.¹In this instance an abscess of the nasopharyngeal vault occurred and led to osteomyelitis of the basisphenoid and basiocciput, meningitis and cranial nerve palsies. We believe this is the first such case reported in which recovery occurred. <h3>REPORT OF CASE</h3> A 48 year old man came under our care on Dec. 9, 1945, complaining of constant headache, acute pain on swallowing and inability to speak clearly. These conditions had been present for nine weeks. He gave a history of having had severe spontaneous epistaxis nine weeks before admission, which had required continuous anterior and posterior nasal packing for two weeks. Several days after the initial posterior pack was inserted the patient began to have constant headache localized to the vertex and occiput. The headache