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Journals / The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat / 2026 / Volume: 35 Issue: 1

Otogenic Skull Base Osteomyelitis: Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges, and Long-Term Outcomes from a Single Tertiary Centre

Mehmet Murat Günay(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)0000-0003-1880-8334
Mehmet Furkan Doğan(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)0009-0002-7650-1912
İlker Akyildiz(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)0000-0002-1759-4699
Sibel Alicura Tokgöz(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)0000-0002-5058-1400
Gökhan Toptaş(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)0000-0003-2444-4450
Muharrem Dağlı(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery)0000-0003-2099-9395
Mustafa Tarık Alay(Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Medical Genetics)0000-0002-1563-2292
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-03-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Although our study did not reveal any significant effects of HBOT on OSBO prognosis or length of hospital stay, randomised controlled trials are needed to assess its potential benefits.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: This study assesses the demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic and treatment methods, and long-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with and treated for otogenic skull base osteomyelitis (OSBO).
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Key Findings & Data:Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 17 patients hospitalised with an OSBO diagnosis in our clinic from 2017 to 2024.
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Conclusion & Impact:Although our study did not reveal any significant effects of HBOT on OSBO prognosis or length of hospital stay, randomised controlled trials are needed to assess its potential benefits.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2017 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Skull base osteomyelitis · temporal bone osteomyelitis · malignant otitis externa

Abstract

Objective: This study assesses the demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic and treatment methods, and long-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with and treated for otogenic skull base osteomyelitis (OSBO). Second, we attempted to determine the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on the treatment of OSBO. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 17 patients hospitalised with an OSBO diagnosis in our clinic from 2017 to 2024. We reviewed the demographic infor mation, symptoms, laboratory results, imaging and treatment methods, length of hospital stay, associated complications, and follow-up periods. Results: Nearly all patients, except one, were elderly males (mean age: 68.9 years; range: 57–81 years). All patients had type 2 DM, with 88.2% (n=15) having multiple comorbidities, including hypertension and coronary artery disease. The most common symptoms were otalgia, hearing loss, and otorrhea, with cranial nerve (CN) palsy observed in 70.6% (n=12). Five patients experienced single CN involvement (CN VII in three, CN XII in one, and CN VI in one), while seven had multiple CN palsy. The mean length of hospital stay was 45 days (range: 21–80 days). In addition to intravenous antibiotic therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was administered to 52.9% (n=9). In the HBOT group, no significant reduction was observed in morbidity or length of hospital stay. During the 7-year follow-up period, mortality occurred in 17.6% (n=3). Conclusion: OSBO should be considered as a differential diagnosis in elderly diabetic patients with persistent otalgia and otorrhea who do not respond to empirical antibiotic therapy. Although our study did not reveal any significant effects of HBOT on OSBO prognosis or length of hospital stay, randomised controlled trials are needed to assess its potential benefits.

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Cite This Article

Günay, M. M., Doğan, M. F., Akyildiz, İ., Tokgöz, S. A., Toptaş, G., Dağlı, M., Alay, M. T. (2025). Otogenic Skull Base Osteomyelitis: Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges, and Long-Term Outcomes from a Single Tertiary Centre. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, Volume: 35 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1602039

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