Mastoiditis complicated with Gradenigo syndrome and a hypertrophic pachymeningitis with consequent communicating hydrocephalus

Petrous Apicitis: A Systematic Review and Case Presentation

INTRODUCTION

Petrous apicitis (PA) is a rare but dangerous complication of acute otitis media. The objective of this study is to present a case of PA and systematically review the existing literature on PA to characterize clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes in the antibiotic era.

METHODS

A comprehensive search from 1983 to June 1, 2020, of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EmBase databases was conducted. Studies with clinical data regarding patients with PA were included. Non-English literature or studies with insufficient individual patient data were excluded. Sixty-seven studies were included with a total of 134 patients.

RESULTS

A total of 67 articles were found to meet criteria for inclusion. The mean age of presentation was 33 years. Recent acute otitis media was reported in 78 patients (58.2%). Only 3 patients (2.2%) were immunocompromised, and 8 patients (6.0%) had a history of diabetes. Gradenigo's triad of abducens palsy, otorrhea, and retro-orbital or facial pain was reported in 28 patients (20.9%); however, these presenting symptoms were common individually (51.5%, 48.5%, and 64.2%, respectively). Hearing loss (35.8%), facial weakness (17.9%), and vertigo (7.5%) were also reported.The most frequently cultured pathogen was Pseudomonas (34.2%), followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. All 134 patients underwent imaging, with computed tomography being the most frequently used modality (56.0%). Nearly all patients received antibiotic therapy (95.6%), with 91 (67.9%) undergoing surgery ranging from myringotomy (26.9%) to petrosectomy (25.4%). Five patients (5.7%) died because of complications related to PA. Mean follow-up was 11.0 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Petrous apicitis has a variable presentation with potential for severe morbidity. Mortality rates are low, and presentation with Gradenigo's triad is uncommon. Appropriate medical management with surgical drainage can avoid long-term sequelae.

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.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis and otitis media: a review of literature

Background and objective

It has been recognized that anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides may lead to hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) or intractable otitis media (OM). To our knowledge, few cases of coexistent ANCA-related HP and OM have been described previously. To increase awareness of this disease, we reviewed the literature describing patients with HP and intractable OM in a population with AAV to guide clinical decision making for otolaryngologists.

Methods

 PubMed was searched with the following terms: ANCA-associated vasculitis, otitis media, and hypertrophic pachymeningitis. Only patients with concomitant AAV, OM and HP were considered and included in this review.

Results

A total of 243 articles were reviewed, and of these, 6 met inclusion criteria. Headache, cranial polyneuropathy, and intractable OM with effusion or granulation were common. Serum MPO–ANCA positivity was most common in Asian patients. Almost all patients had dural mater thickening on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Corticosteroids plus an immunosuppressant was more effective and most patients had improved hearing after treatment, but approximately 50% of subjects had disease relapse.

Conclusion

In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of this disease. We should carefully detect the potential cases of ANCA-related HP and OM in patients with intractable OM, HP, or AAV, and make the optimal treatment plan to avoid long-term neurological complications and irreversible hearing loss. Furthermore, due to an increased possibility of relapse, close follow-up, including a hearing test, ANCA titers, imaging examination, and detection of toxic and side effects of immunosuppressive therapy, are necessary.

Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis and Hydrocephalus-The Role of Neuroendoscopy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a rare primary or secondary inflammatory disorder that manifests with thickening of dura mater involving predominantly the tentorium and falx in the focal form. Hydrocephalus has not been reported in association with secondary HP.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 61-year-old woman presented with intracranial HP of the posterior fossa secondary to Wegener granulomatosis not responsive to corticosteroid therapy. Owing to the association of noncommunicating hydrocephalus, endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed. There was immediate improvement of neurologic symptoms and no postoperative complications. The patient had very good clinical and radiologic outcome at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In a case of noncommunicating hydrocephalus related to focal HP of the posterior fossa, endoscopic third ventriculostomy was effective in resolving symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure. The physiopathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies were discussed along with a review of the most relevant literature.

Panel 8

Background and Objectives

Although serious complications of otitis media (OM) such as brain abscess are rare, sequelae of OM such as tympanic membrane perforation and atelectatic tympanic membrane are quite common. Inner ear sequelae can cause hearing loss and speech and language problems. The objectives of this article are to provide a state-of-the-art review on recent articles on complications and sequelae of OM in different anatomic locations, from the tympanic membrane to intracranial sites, as well as hearing loss and speech and language development.

Data Sources

Primarily PubMed supplemented by Ovid MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database.

Review Methods

All types of articles related to OM complications and sequelae published in English between January 2007 and June 2011 were identified. A total of 127 relevant quality articles are summarized and included in this report.

Results

Key findings are summarized based on the following major anatomic locations and categories: tympanic membrane; cholesteatoma; ossicular problems; mucosal sequelae; inner ear sequelae; speech and language development; extracranial areas, including mastoiditis and facial nerve paralysis; intracranial complications; and future research goals. New information and insights were gained to prevent complications and sequelae.

Conclusion and Implications for Practice

Over the past 4 years, progress has been made in advancing the knowledge on the complications and sequelae of OM, which can be used to prevent and treat them effectively. Areas of potential future research have been identified and outlined.

Gradenigo syndrome without acute otitis media

Acute otitis media complications are less and less common, thanks to the more widespread availability and use of adequate antibiotics. Nevertheless, when they occur, they may be inconspicuous or silent but with dangerous evolution. Described here is the case of a 5-year-old child suffering from incomplete Gradenigo syndrome without acute otitis media, which was managed medically with favorable outcome.