# Recurrent bacterial meningitis caused by incomplete Type I inner ear malformation: A case report

## TL;DR

A young girl with a rare inner ear malformation experienced repeated bacterial meningitis for 17 years before the cause was identified and successfully treated with surgery.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the rare association between incomplete Type I inner ear malformation and recurrent bacterial meningitis.

## Key findings

- The patient had recurrent bacterial meningitis for 17 years before being diagnosed with incomplete Type I inner ear malformation.
- Surgical treatment resolved the symptoms and prevented recurrence during a 1-year follow-up.
- The case underscores the importance of considering inner ear malformations in patients with unexplained recurrent meningitis.

## Abstract

The incidence of incomplete partition Type I inner ear malformation is very low; therefore, bacterial meningitis caused by this malformation is also rare. Here, we report a case of such a patient. This case is a young female patient, who is 7 years old, began to have recurrent headaches, and after 5 years, also began to have chest and back pain. The doctor diagnosed meningitis, and the anti‐infection treatment was effective. She was followed up annually and continued to have outbreaks repeatedly for 17 years, but the cause of repeated infection was not found. After a detailed diagnosis and treatment in our hospital, the patient was finally diagnosed with incomplete partition Type I inner ear malformation, resulting in repeated bacterial meningitis. The patient recovered well after surgical treatment, and the symptoms did not recur after 1‐year follow‐up.

This case is a young female patient. When she was 7 years old, she began to have recurrent headaches, then, after 5 years, she also began to have chest and back pain. The doctor diagnosed meningitis, and the anti‐infection treatment was effective. The headaches occurred once a year and continued to break out repeatedly for 17 years, but the cause of repeated infection has not been found. After detailed diagnosis and treatment in our hospital, it was finally diagnosed as incomplete separation Type I inner ear malformation, resulting in repeated bacterial meningitis. The patient recovered well after surgical treatment, and the symptoms did not recur after 1 year of follow‐up.