A case of otitic hydrocephalus induced by masked mastoiditis

The use antibiotics has significantly reduced the complications of acute otitis media. On the other hand, it has altered their clinical picture. Masked mastoiditis is now becoming an important problem, causing severe complications without typical symptoms. We present the case report of a 16-year-old female who developed symptoms of raised intra cranial pressure 3 weeks after an episode of otitis media. Although otoscopy revealed no significant change in her tympanic membrane and there was no otologic symptom, magnetic resonance imaging showed thrombosis in her bilateral lateral sinuses and shadows in her mastoid cells. We considered that the antibiotic therapy caused masked mastoiditis, obscuring typical signs and symptoms of otitic hydrocephalus.