Gradenigo’s syndrome: A case report

Abstract

We present the case report of a patient with complicated sup-purative otitis media, with intra-temporal (mastoiditis and pet-rositis) and intracranial (meningitis) involvement. Clinically, it was Gradenigo’s Syndrome, a rare and serious condition first described by Giuseppe Gradenigo in 1907 consisting of acute apical petrositis characterized by the triad: Otorrhea, facial pain in the area supplied by the first branch of trigeminal nerve, and VI cranial nerve paralysis, all present in this patient. He progressed satisfactorily with a management based on broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and subsequently a surgical approach with decompressive craniotomy plus abscess drainage and mastoidectomy. Timely and effective management of acute otitis media is important to avoid disabling and life-threatening intra-temporal and intracranial complications.