Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2012 Sep;55(9):578-581. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2012.55.9.578.

A Case of Sudden Deafness with Spontaneous Nystagmus in the Absence of Canal Paresis

• Lee KK
• Yoon SP
• Lim EJ
• Kim S

• KMID: 2141144
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2012.55.9.578

Abstract

Spontaneous nystagmus is a reflection of tonic left-right vestibular asymmetry. It is typically seen after a recent unilateral peripheral vestibular lesion and has fast phases away from the side of the lesion. Sometimes spontaneous nystagmus is seen in the absence of a recent unilateral peripheral lesion, in which case it provides evidence of a vestibular lesion but does not localize it. We experienced a case of 35-year-old man who had sudden sensorineural hearing loss on the left side with acute onset of vertigo and transient spontaneous nystagmus, which had fast phases away from the side of the sudden deafness, without canal paresis on the bithermal caloric test.

Keyword

Caloric tests; Spontaneous ocular nystagmus; Sudden hearing loss; Vertigo

MeSH Terms

Adult
Caloric Tests
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Hearing Loss, Sudden
Humans
Nystagmus, Pathologic
Paresis
Vertigo