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A dural arteriovenous fistula associated with an encephalocele presenting as otitis media with effusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2018

W Ahmed ,
S Connor ,
R Obholzer  and
I Pai
W Ahmed*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, London, UK
S Connor
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
R Obholzer
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, London, UK
I Pai
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Waseem Ahmed, Department of Otolaryngology, Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK E-mail: waseem.ahmed6@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

This case report illustrates an unusual case of a dural arteriovenous fistula and an associated encephalocele presenting as otitis media with effusion.

Case report

A 53-year-old man presented with right-sided hearing loss and aural fullness of 2 years’ duration. Examination revealed ipsilateral post-auricular pulsatile tenderness. Computed tomography showed transcalvarial channels suggestive of dural arteriovenous fistula. Further magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the presence of a temporal encephalocele herniating through the tegmen tympani defect, as well as the abnormal vascularity. Angiography confirmed a Cognard type I dural arteriovenous fistula, which is being managed conservatively. Surgical repair of the encephalocele was recommended but declined by the patient.

Conclusion

Dural arteriovenous fistula is an uncommon intracranial vascular malformation rarely seen by otolaryngologists, with pulsatile tinnitus being the usual presentation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with conductive hearing loss and otalgia.

Keywords

Hearing LossOtitis Media With EffusionEncephaloceleArteriovenous FistulaTemporal Bone
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 11 , November 2018 , pp. 1032 - 1035
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Mr W Ahmed takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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