title: Management of abducens palsy in patients with petrositis.
abstract: Our objective was to discuss the management and outcome of abducens nerve palsy in patients with Gradenigo's syndrome. In a retrospective analysis of patients with Gradenigo's syndrome at a tertiary-care center in Houston, Texas, from 1987 to 1995, we identified 2 patients with Gradenigo's syndrome, both female. One had bilateral involvement, so that the total was 3 ears. Both patients had complete recovery of their abducens nerve palsy. In 2 ears with chronic mastoiditis, sixth nerve palsies failed to respond to medical therapy alone, but resolved after mastoidectomy with drainage of the petrous apex. We recommend that patients with Gradenigo's syndrome and evidence of chronic mastoiditis be treated with aggressive medical and surgical care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Minotti
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kountakis
mesh_terms: D000010:Abducens Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010579:Petrous Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents