Publication:

A rare otorhinolaryngologic cause of Collet-Sicard syndrome

The Collet-Sicard syndrome (CSS) is a rare clinical condition with unilateral palsy of lower cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII without sympathetic involvement. This was first described by Frederic Collet. Primary or metastatic neoplasms or vascular diseases are the usual causes of CSS. Infection is a very rare cause of CSS. Skull Base Osteomyelitis (SBO) is a rare, complex, and fatal infection of the skull bones that commonly involves parts of the temporal, sphenoid, and occipital bones. The disease was first described in 1959 by Meltzer and Keleman. Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is the most common cause of SBO, particularly in temporal regions. Here we report a case of collet Sicard syndrome due to skull base osteomyelitis resulting from an otogenic infection, malignant otitis externa. This case report aims to create awareness of such a neurologic condition and also the importance of early suspicion, diagnosis and treatment of skull base osteomyelitis to prevent such complications.