petrositis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Petrositis may be the result of infection from otitis media spreading to the petrous apex and involving the abducens nerve, or as an early or late complication of mastoid surgery. It is rare.
Clinical features include:
- diplopia - from lateral rectus palsy
- headache - spasmodic and felt deep behind the ear
- evidence of middle ear infection
- trigeminal pain
Gradenigo's syndrome is the triad of otorrhoea, retro-orbital pain and sixth nerve palsy.
Treatment:
- antibiotics
- mastoidectomy if the cause is chronic otitis media