Recommended Citation
Robinson C, Maraj D, Minhas JS, Bhatia M, and Kak V. Gradenigo's Syndrome and Vernet Syndrome as Presenting Signs of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cureus 2023; 15(7):e41636.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2023
Publication Title
Cureus
Abstract
Both Gradenigo's syndrome and Vernet syndrome are rare pathologies of the intracranial space; both involve compression of a particular anatomic location in the skull, thus affecting structures nearby or within that space. A patient presenting with one or both of these syndromes should raise concern for malignancy, head trauma, or an intracranial infection. We present a case of a 39-year-old female with three weeks of left-sided ear, face, and neck pain along with difficulty swallowing and reduced vision in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed fullness in the left nasopharyngeal region, raising concern for malignancy or infection. Biopsy of the mass ultimately revealed Epstein-Barr virus positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma, nonkeratinizing undifferentiated type, along with culture data revealing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive left otomastoiditis. She received chemoradiation therapy along with six weeks of antibiotic therapy. A patient presenting with symptoms reflective of a sinus infection unrelieved by antibiotics with concomitant cranial nerve deficits should raise clinical concern for an intracranial pathology rather than a simple case of sinusitis.
PubMed ID
37565094
Volume
15
Issue
7
First Page
41636
Last Page
41636
