Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Gradenigo's syndrome
Introduction
Gradenigo’s syndrome is a complication of otitis media and mastoiditis involving the apex of the petrous temporal bone.
Gradenigo’s syndrome is sometimes called petrous apicitis. It is a syndrome consisting of:
- Deep Seated Orbital (or) Retro-orbital pain in the area supplied by the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve),
- Diplopia – ipsilateral paralysis of the abducens nerve (sixth cranial nerve), and
- Persistent Ear Discharge – otitis media
Other symptoms can include photophobia, excessive lacrimation, fever, and reduced corneal sensitivity.
The syndrome is usually caused by the spread of an infection into the petrous apex of the temporal bone.
Diagnosis confirmed by X-Ray (Towne’s View & Stenver’s View) and by CT Scan of Temporal bone
Treatment – Cortical (or) Modified Radical (or) Radical Mastoidectomy.
Etymology
The syndrome is named after Giuseppe Conte Gradenigo, an Italian Otolaryngologist.