Conservative treatment of Gradenigo’s syndrome triggered by acute otitis media

Abstract

Gradenigo’s syndrome is characterized by otorrhoea, facial pain in regions innervated by the first and second division of trigeminal nerve and ipsilateral abducens nerve paralysis. It’s a very rare complication of otitis media caused by the infection of the petrous apex. Gradenigo’s syndrome has traditionally been treated with aggressive surgical methods and concurrent antibiotherapy. We report a case of a 56-year-old man which was successfully treated by conservative means (ventilation tube insertion and antibiotherapy).