Magnetic resonance imaging features of Gradenigo's syndrome

Steroid-Responsive Gradenigo's Syndrome Mimicking Subdural Hematoma

Gradenigo's syndrome (GS) is featured by a clinical triad of otorrhea, retro-orbital pain, and a sixth nerve palsy. Clinical examination is crucial prior to considering neuroimaging. The majority of cases are secondary to infection thus requiring long-term broad-spectrum antibiotics; severe cases also require surgical intervention for risk of intracranial abscess or even death. The patient was a 35-year-old female who presented with right temporal headache and right retro-orbital pain. The initial diagnosis from the local clinic was of subdural hemorrhage. Cranial nerve (CN) VI paresis was noted upon examination and inflammatory process was documented based on brain MR. The patient was diagnosed with Gradenigo's syndrome and administered antibiotics and steroids. Symptoms recurred after cessation of steroids and once antibiotics-related fever developed. The symptoms resolved after stopping the antibiotics and reintroducing steroids. The MRI performed after three months recorded no brain inflammation. We report a Gradenigo's syndrome caused by chronic inflammation with good response to steroids. To our best knowledge, there were merely approximately 80 patients who were reported with Gradnigo or Gradenigo's syndrome before. Infection comprised 76% of cases, thus broad-spectrum and long-term antibiotics use have been emphasized instead of steroid use. However, steroids also play an important role in reducing nerve injury by edematous change.

An unusual case of acute otitis media resulting in Gradenigo syndrome: CT and MRI findings

With the widespread use of antibiotics, Gradenigo syndrome is a rare complication of acute otitis media (AOM) and acute mastoiditis. It is an uncommon form of petrous apicitis and can be life-threatening. We report the case of a 14-year-old female with unresolved AOM, who developed otorrhea, ipsilateral headaches, diplopia and raised inflammatory markers. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated features of petrous apicitis and confirmed the suspicion of Gradenigo syndrome. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight this unusual syndrome together with its radiological appearance to improve its diagnosis and management.

Petrous apex lesions in the pediatric population

A variety of abnormal imaging findings of the petrous apex are encountered in children. Many petrous apex lesions are identified incidentally while images of the brain or head and neck are being obtained for indications unrelated to the temporal bone. Differential considerations of petrous apex lesions in children include "leave me alone" lesions, infectious or inflammatory lesions, fibro-osseous lesions, neoplasms and neoplasm-like lesions, as well as a few rare miscellaneous conditions. Some lesions are similar to those encountered in adults, and some are unique to children. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and primary and metastatic pediatric malignancies such as neuroblastoma, rhabomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are more likely to be encountered in children. Lesions such as petrous apex cholesterol granuloma, cholesteatoma and chondrosarcoma are more common in adults and are rarely a diagnostic consideration in children. We present a comprehensive pictorial review of CT and MRI appearances of pediatric petrous apex lesions.

Mastoiditis and Gradenigo's Syndrome with anaerobic bacteria

BACKGROUND

Gradenigo's syndrome is a rare disease, which is characterized by the triad of the following conditions: suppurative otitis media, pain in the distribution of the first and the second division of trigeminal nerve, and abducens nerve palsy. The full triad may often not be present, but can develop if the condition is not treated correctly.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 3-year-old girl, who presented with fever and left-sided acute otitis media. She developed acute mastoiditis, which was initially treated by intravenous antibiotics, ventilation tube insertion and cortical mastoidectomy. After 6 days the clinical picture was complicated by development of left-sided abducens palsy. MRI-scanning showed osteomyelitis within the petro-mastoid complex, and a hyper intense signal of the adjacent meninges. Microbiological investigations showed Staphylococcus aureus and Fusobacterium necrophorum. She was treated successfully with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy with anaerobic coverage. After 8 weeks of follow-up there was no sign of recurrent infection or abducens palsy.

CONCLUSION

Gradenigo's syndrome is a rare, but life-threatening complication to middle ear infection. It is most commonly caused by aerobic microorganisms, but anaerobic microorganisms may also be found why anaerobic coverage should be considered when determining the antibiotic treatment.

Acute otitis media-induced petrous apicitis presenting as the Gradenigo syndrome: successfully treated by ventilation tube insertion

Petrous apicitis has traditionally been treated with aggressive surgical methods. However, recent reports describe good results with more conservative medical treatment and minimal surgical intervention. We report a case of petrous apicitis presenting as the Gradenigo syndrome treated by ventilation tube insertion. We recommend aggressive surgical intervention for patients who failed to respond to conservative therapy including ventilation tube insertion.

Streptococcus acidominimus infection in a child causing Gradenigo syndrome

Gradenigo syndrome is a rare presentation of acute petrositis. The clinical triad of Gradenigo syndrome consists of acute suppurative otitis media, severe unilateral headache and abducens nerve palsy. We report the first case of Gradenigo syndrome caused by Streptococcus acidominimus, a Gram-positive coccus of the Streptococcus viridans group, which rarely causes deep-seated infection in humans.

CONCLUSION

Gradenigo syndrome may complicate acute otitis media and should be suspected in case of unilateral headache and abducens nerve palsy. Conservative medical treatment without surgery may be considered in some patients.

The fenestration operation of Lempert: a historical perspective

OBJECTIVE

To describe the events surrounding the introduction of the one-stage fenestration operation for otosclerosis and the presentation of the paper given to the American Otological Society in 1938.

DATA SOURCES

Published data in scientific journals and news media, archival material from the New York Academy of Medicine and the John Q. Adams Center of The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and a personal interview with the late Gordon D. Hoople, M.D.

CONCLUSION

This article describes Dr. Gordon Hoople's exclusive account of the events surrounding the presentation of the first paper of the Lempert one-stage fenestration operation to the American Otological Society, why it was never published, why detailed proceedings of The Society were expunged from the record, and why Samuel J. Kopetzky was expelled from the American Otological Society.

Imaging evaluation of cranial nerves 3, 4, and 6

Neuropathies of the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves may present with isolated or complex neurologic findings. An understanding of the anatomy of these cranial nerves as they traverse the brainstem, basilar cisterns, and cavernous sinus on their way to the orbit can assist in localizing the suggested site of pathology and help to focus imaging protocols. Differential diagnostic possibilities for specific anatomic locations are reviewed.

Gradenigo's syndrome

Gradenigo's syndrome, which is characterised by the triad of suppurative otitis media, pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, and abducens nerve palsy may give rise to potentially fatal complications. Knowledge of the aetiology and appropriate investigations can lead to early diagnosis. A case is reported which illustrates this.

Intratemporal complications of acute otitis media in infants and children

We reviewed our experience with 100 children admitted to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh between 1980 and 1995 with an intratemporal complication of acute otitis media. Seventy-two patients were treated for acute mastoiditis. Of these 72 children, 54 (75.0%) were treated conservatively with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and myringotomy. Eighteen (25.0%) required mastoidectomy for treatment of a subperiosteal or Bezold's abscess or cholesteatoma, or because of poor response to conservative therapy. Twenty-two children presented with facial paralysis, complete in 5 (22.7%) and incomplete in 17 (77.3%). Eighteen (81.8%) were treated conservatively, but four required mastoid surgery. Nineteen patients had adequate follow-up; of these, 15 recovered normal facial function but 4 were left with partial paralysis. Three patients presented with serous labyrinthitis and recovered completely with conservative therapy. Of the two patients who presented with suppurative labyrinthitis, one was treated conservatively, but the other required tympanomastoidectomy with cochleotomy; both patients had permanent, profound sensorineural hearing loss in the affected ear. Four patients presented with acute petrositis, and in all four it resolved with mastoidectomy. In the antibiotic era, intratemporal complications of acute otitis media still occur in otherwise healthy children, often after inadequate treatment of acute otitis media.