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Middle ear infection and sixth nerve palsy
J J Homer1, I J Johnson, N S Jones
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract:
Three cases of patients with acute middle ear infections complicated by a sixth nerve palsy are described. The possible causes of sixth nerve palsy in such cases are discussed. We propose that where there is a sixth nerve palsy without petrositis and without raised intracranial pressure, it can arise as a result of spreading phlebitis along the inferior petrosal sinus from the lateral sinus.
Insights
Acute middle ear infections can cause sixth nerve palsy. This condition may result from phlebitis spreading through venous sinuses, even without other signs of infection or increased intracranial pressure.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute middle ear infections are common pediatric conditions.
- Sixth nerve palsy, or abducens nerve palsy, affects eye movement.
- The association between otitis media and sixth nerve palsy is rare but significant.