title: Aspergillosis of the petrous apex.
abstract: We present the case of an immunocompetent man who presented with multiple and progressive cranial nerve palsies. The cause was found to be aspergillosis of the petrous bone, arising as a result of chronic fungal otitis media. Despite treatment with local excision and systemic anti-fungal therapy, he died after suffering a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis rests upon prompt radiological imaging and the acquisition of tissue for histological examination and culture but cannot be made without awareness of the condition.
authors.affiliation: Elderly Care Department, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. philrushton@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rushton
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Battcock
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Denning
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herbetko
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hillier
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D010579:Petrous Bone; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed