PMC8492433_01
Contrast-enhanced CT scan axial soft-tissue window (a and b), axial (c) and coronal bone window (d) sections revealing polypoidal soft tissue occluding the external auditory meatus (arrow) with increased bulk and heterogeneous enhancement (arrowhead) of the nasopharynx, base of skull, and masticator muscles signifying inflammatory soft tissue. Bone window sections showing erosive changes in the bones of the skull base (curved arrows) signifying osteomyelitis.
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F1
CT scan of skull base revealed polypoidal soft tissue occluding the left external auditory canal [Figure 1a] having contiguous extension inferiorly and medially along nasopharynx and infratemporal fossa. The muscles of mastication showed heterogeneous enhancement with diffuse increase in bulk [Figure 1b]. There was associated erosion of the bones forming the base of skull [Figure 1c and d].
Axial CECT (a) showing near complete resolution of the inflammation in the base of skull region and masticator space. MRI (axial T2 FS-[b and c] and contrast-enhanced T1-[d]) of the corresponding area confirms these findings with minimal inflammation along the muscle fibers (arrows) with no contrast enhancement.
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F2
Follow-up CT and MRI performed after 1 year showed near-complete resolution of the lesion [Figure 2].