Gradenigo’s syndrome: a petrous apex lesion

Abstract

<p class="abstract">Unsafe chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) requires early attention, otherwise leads to various extracranial and intracranial complications. Petrositis is one of the complications of temporal bone due to unsafe CSOM leading to inflammation or abscess in the petrous apex along with involvement cranial nerves V and VI nerve and leading to a trio of symptoms like ipsilateral otorrhea, deep facial pain and ipsilateral lateral rectus palsy, this clinical trio collectively called as Gradenigo’s syndrome. We have done retrospective study of 3 cases who were presented to our tertiary care centre ENT-OPD with symptoms suggestive of Gradenigo’s syndrome. Cases selected by simple random sampling. Cases with ear malignancy was excluded from study. Cases were followed up for 3 months and results were analysed. Petrositis if ignored can lead to rare but fatal complication of unsafe CSOM. Common in males in third decade and the ear swab suggestive of common organism was pseudomonas. Medical management given as per culture and sensitivity report of ear swab and then followed by definitive surgery of canal wall down tympano-mastoidectomy with petrous apex decompression.</p>