Atypical Gradenigo Syndrome in an Elderly Man Resolved with Mastoidectomy and Petrous Apicectomy

Gradenigo syndrome (GS) was described primarily in the paediatric population, especially in the pre-antibiotic era. GS is rarely reported in the elderly population, especially in the post-antibiotic era. We present the rare case of a 67-year-old man who presented with an incomplete triad of symptoms (without abducens nerve palsy) of GS that failed medical therapy and was successfully treated with surgical intervention (mastoidectomy and petrous apicectomy). Physicians should be familiar with atypical presenting symptoms of GS as it can lead to life-threatening complications, especially in the elderly. GS cases resistant to medical therapy may require prompt appropriate imaging studies and surgical intervention. LEARNING POINTS: Gradenigo syndrome may present with an incomplete triad (without abducens nerve palsy), especially in the post-antibiotic era. Gradenigo syndrome can rarely affect immunocompromised elderly patients. Gradenigo syndrome cases resistant to medical therapy may require prompt appropriate imaging studies and surgical intervention (mastoidectomy and petrous apicectomy).