| Villalobos T et al, 1998, USA1 | 12 studies with data allowing analysis of the effectiveness of antibiotic use in preventing meningitis in basal skull fracture. | Meta-analysis | Exact odds ratio of meningitis risk (odds of developing meningitis in the untreated v treated group) in all patients | 1.15 (95% CI 0.68, 1.94) | |
| 1241 patients of whom 719 received antibiotics and 522 did not. | | Exact odds ratio of meningitis risk in patients with CSF leak | 1.34 (95% CI 0.75, 2.41) | |
| Brodie H, 1997, USA2 | 6 studies with data allowing analysis of the incidence of meningitis resulting from posttraumatic CSF fistula. | Meta-analysis | Meningitis rate | 2.5% of those receiving antibiotics v 10% of those that did not | Only 15 cases of meningitis. No formal review of paper quality. No odds ratios or confidence intervals calculated |
| 324 patients of whom 237 received antibiotics and 87 did not. | | | | |