CT, MRI and gallium SPECT in the diagnosis and treatment of petrous apicitis presenting as multiple cranial neuropathies

Br J Radiol. 2005 Oct;78(934):948-51. doi: 10.1259/bjr/71475327.

Abstract

We present a rare case of petrous apicitis initiated by middle ear inflammation in a diabetic patient with multiple cranial neuropathies for early diagnosis of this potentially life-threatening condition. The lesion appeared as opacification of middle ear, petrous apex with aggressive bony destruction on CT and diffuse petrosal T(1) hypointensity with adjacent soft tissue propagation on MRI. Gallium-67 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan also contributed to evaluate response to therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / etiology*
  • Diabetes Complications / complications
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteitis / diagnosis*
  • Osteitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Otitis Media / complications*
  • Petrous Bone*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes