Korean J Audiol.  2014 Dec;18(3):153-157. 10.7874/kja.2014.18.3.153.

A Case of Labyrinthine Fistula by Cholesteatoma Mimicking Lateral Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

• Shim DB
• Ko KM
• Song MH
• Song CE

• KMID: 2128012
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7874/kja.2014.18.3.153

Abstract

Acute peripheral vestibulopathy, of which the chief complaint is positional vertigo, comprises benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, labyrinthine fistula, and cerebellopontine angle tumors. Since the typical presentation of labyrinthine fistulas may be sensorineural hearing loss, positional vertigo, or disequilibrium, it is often difficult to distinguish from BPPV or Meniere's disease. Herein we report a 61-year-old female patient with typical symptoms and signs attributable to geotropic type variant of the lateral semicircular canal BPPV on the left side, who eventually was confirmed as having a labyrinthine fistula from chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma on the left side. This is another case where, even in the presence of isolated vertigo showing typical findings of acute peripheral vestibulopathy, other otologic symptoms and signs must not be overlooked.

Keyword

Labyrinthine fistula; Cholesteatoma; Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

MeSH Terms

Cholesteatoma*
Ear, Inner
Female
Fistula*
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Humans
Labyrinthitis
Meniere Disease
Middle Aged
Neuroma, Acoustic
Otitis Media
Semicircular Canals
Vertigo*
Vestibular Neuronitis