The changing face of petrous apicitis—a 40-year experience

Objectives/Hypothesis: Petrous apicitis (PA) is a rare complication of otitis media. Gradenigo syndrome, with the classic triad of otitis, deep pain, and abducens paralysis, is rarer still. The objective of this study was to determine if clinical presentation and management has changed over time. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: Forty-four patients with PA over a 40-year period were studied. Symptoms, signs, and management outcomes were studied. Historical review, surgical anatomy and approaches, pathology, and microbiology, and an illustrative case are included as appendices. Results: The classical Gradenigo triad of retro-orbital pain, otitis, and abducens palsy occurred in only six of 44 patients (13.6%). Over the 40-year observation period, those needing surgery has decreased. Conclusions: Antibiotics remain the primary treatment modality. Surgery is reserved for cases failing to respond to antibiotics. One of the 44 patients in this series died of his disease. Diagnosis and management algorithms based on these observations are suggested. Level of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:195–201, 2018.