This article discusses etiopathogenesis, diagnostic problems and various management modalities available to manage skull base ostietis (SBO) which is a rare but life threatening disorder and in addition national and international references will be reviewed.

Cross sectional, retrospective study carried out at ENT unit-I SIMS/SHL which included 17 patients with SBO which were sorted out for etiological diagnosis based on detailed history, physical examination and labs.

Mean age was 52 years. Diabetes is the most significant risk factor and was seen in 82% of patients, pseudomonas was isolated in 8 patients. The main complication facial paralysis was present in 64% of patients.

SBO remains a severe debilitating and life-threatening condition. It may develop in patients with benign otitis media and externa, and must be considered in all patients with temporal bone inflammation; especially those with risk factors and those who fail to improve with more conservative measures. Small-vessel vasculopathy and immune dysfunction associated with diabetes are primarily responsible for this predisposition. Cranial nerves most commonly the facial, can be affected by inflammation along the skull base or by a neurotoxin produced by Pseudomonas species. We, in this article, intend to share our experience in managing seventeen patients with SBO over a period of three years and review the relevant and recent global literature suggesting updates.