Viral labyrinthitis

Question 1

what is labyrinthitis?

Answer 1

an inflammatory disorder of the membranous labyrinth, affecting both the vestibular and cochlear end organ

Question 2

cause

Answer 2

viral, bacterial or associated with systemic diseases.

Question 3

common form of labyrinthitis?

Answer 3

viral labyrinthitis

Question 4

epidemiology

Answer 4

40-70 years

Question 5

onset

Answer 5

acute

Question 6

presentation

Answer 6

vertigo: not triggered by movement but exacerbated by movement

nausea and vomiting

hearing loss: may be unilateral or bilateral, with varying severity
tinnitus

preceding or concurrent symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection

Question 7

signs of labyrinthitis

Answer 7

spontaneous unidirectional horizontal nystagmus towards the unaffected side

sensorineural hearing loss: shown by Rinne’s test and Weber test

abnormal head impulse test: signifies an impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex

gait disturbance: the patient may fall towards the affected side

Question 8

diagnosis

Answer 8

clinical

Question 9

mx

Answer 9

episodes are usually self-limiting

prochlorperazine or antihistamines may help reduce the sensation of dizziness