Meningitis and sphenoidal sinusitis associated with free gas in the suprasellar cistern

Abstract

A case of pneumococcal meningitis in association with sphenoidal sinusitis is described. A focal gas collection was demonstrated adjacent to the posterior clinoid process. No discernible breach of the sphenoidal sinus walls could be shown.

Fulminant Bacterial Meningitis Complicating Sphenoid Sinusitis

“…2,4-7 Table 1 summarizes the features of pediatric sphenoid sinusitis with intracranial complications from those cases in which sufficient clinical data were provided. 2,[5][6][7] The anatomic location of the sphenoid sinus places it adjacent to the optic canals, dura mater, cavernous sinuses, cranial nerves III to VI, and the internal carotid arteries. The bony walls of the sphenoid are thin or sometimes absent, leaving the sinus separated from intracranial structures by a narrow mucosal barrier.…”