Labyrinthitis

Question 1

What is labyrinthitis?

Answer 1

A viral infection followed by vertigo +/- tinnitus

Labyrinthitis involves inflammation of both the vestibular nerve and cochlear nerve.

Question 2

What distinguishes vestibular neuritis from labyrinthitis?

Answer 2

VN is just vertigo whereas labyrinthitis is also tinnitus

This distinction is often perpetuated on the internet but there is an NBME Q (that is repeated across forms) where they don’t mention anything about tinnitus and the answer is
labyrinthitis, where vestibular neuritis isn’t listed.

Question 3

How can tympanic light reflex be affected in labyrinthitis?

Answer 3

It can be abnormal, reflecting increased middle ear pressure

This is sometimes seen with viral infections.

Question 4

What is a confusing point in NBME questions regarding labyrinthitis?

Answer 4

The term ‘abnormal light reflex’ may be misconstrued as referring to the eyes, not the ear

This confusion can affect the interpretation of questions.

Question 5

What key symptoms might indicate labyrinthitis in an NBME question?

Answer 5

Nausea and reduced ability to eat foods in the past few days

These symptoms imply a recent viral infection.

Question 6

True or False: Tinnitus is always present in labyrinthitis.

Answer 6

False

Tinnitus is noted as +/- in the definition of labyrinthitis.