Gradenigo's syndrome

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Gradenigo's syndrome is a complication of otitis media and mastoiditis involving the petrous apex of the temporal bone. Gradenigo's syndrome is sometimes called petrous apicitis. It is a syndrome consisting of:

• otalgia due to pain in the area supplied by the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve),
• ipsilateral paralysis of the abducens nerve (sixth cranial nerve), and
• otitis media.

Other symptoms can include photophobia, excessive lacrimation, fever, and reduced corneal sensitivity.
The syndrome is usually caused by the spread of an infection into the petrous apex of the temporal bone.

The syndrome is named after Giuseppe Conte Gradenigo, an Italian Otolaryngologist.