How to Manage Petrositis

Petrositis refers to an infection and inflammation of the petrous temporal bone. This usually occurs as a continuation of a middle ear or mastoid infection. The petrous temporal bone is exceptionally hard and dense and it encloses the minute organs for hearing and balance. It is directly connected to the important blood and nerve vessels of the medial cranial fossa -- which is the middle depression of the cranial cavity that houses the temporal lobe laterally and the hypothalamus medially. Because of its close connection to the some significant structures, infection of the temporal lobe will result in severe and harmful problems. Complications of petrositis are manifested into triad symptoms known as the Granedigo’s Syndrome and they are: (1) Otorrhoea which refers to a discharge from the external ear, (2) Deep facial pain or headache and (3) Lateral rectus palsy wherein the patient sees two side by side images when looking at a single object (double vision). Other symptoms include otalgia (earache), fever, and impaired consciousness. Managements for petrositis are presented below.

Things You'll Need

• Medications
• Surgeon

Instructions

1. Eradicate pathogens that cause infection through aggressive antibiotic therapy. This method is beneficial for eliminating specific causative agents of the disease namely Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus.

2. 

   Decrease inflammation of the area through steroid applications. This method may also help in reducing pain and swelling.

3. Administer a long-term antimicrobial therapy that is aimed at eliminating Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To relieve a more severe infection, aminoglycosides are given together with antipseudomonal penicillin derivative for a more effective eradication.

4. 

   Facilitate drainage of fluid accumulations using transmastoid procedure. This procedure is done using three types of surgical approach to promote drainage. It keeps hearing in a good condition and imposes just a little risk to the facial nerve. But since the procedure only allows limited exposure of the area, it does not permit adequate exposure for surgical removal of the affected part.

5. Applications of other surgical procedures are advised for patients who are not responsive to medical therapy. Good candidates for surgical interventions are those who end up having serious complications of the cranial nerves and vascular vessels, those who develop a localized accumulation of pus in the area, and for patients with venous sinus thrombosis.

Tips & Warnings

• Recurrence of petrositis is quite possible for some cases so it is advisable to regularly visit the doctor, even after surgery, to make sure the infection is completely eliminated.