SIGNIFICANCE OF DEEP EPIDURAL ABSCESSES IN PATHOGENESIS OF OTOGENIC ABSCESSES OF THE BRAIN

Abstract

THE clinical and pathologic aspects of otogenic abscesses of the brain have already been widely and thoroughly discussed. Among the various pathologic conditions which may cause them, deep epidural abscesses resulting from perilabyrinthine suppurations deserve particular interest. This is seen clearly in the 3 cases reported in this paper, in which the abscesses showed unusual diagnostic and pathogenetic features. All the cases ended fatally, and the brain and temporal bones were available for histologic examination. REPORT OF CASES Case1.—W. B., a man 25 years old, was admitted to the Neurological Institute of New York on Aug. 30, 1938. At the age of 8, he had suffered from right-sided acute otitis media following scarlet fever, with discharge from the ear for one week. Since that time he had not had any complaints regarding his ear. In January 1938, he had severe bilateral frontal headaches off and on for one week.