Infection of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis: A morbid complication following adenoidectomy

Abstract

Two 2-year-old males presented post-operatively following adenoidectomy with persistent fever and neck stiffness. After multiple office visits, both patients were admitted and found to have a widened spheno-occipital synchondrosis and other imaging findings indicative of skull base osteomyelitis. Treatment with antibiotics allowed for recovery with good long-term outcomes. Infection involving the spheno-occiptal synchondrosis is rare and its circuitous presentation of these two children no doubt led to delayed diagnosis.

Keywords: Adenoidectomy; Complication; Osteomyelitis; Pediatric otolaryngology; Skull base infection; Spheno-occipital synchondrosis.