Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2008 Nov;51(11):1050-1053.

A Case of Acute Suppurative Labyrinthitis Complicated by Chronic Otitis Media

• Son HY
• Shim HS
• Ahn SY
• Ahn SK

Abstract

With the development of antibiotics, tympanogenic labyrinthitis complicated by otitis media rarely occurs nowadays. Only few cases of acute serous or suppurative labyrinthitis in otitis media patients have been reported previously in the literature. Acute suppurative labyrinthitis caused by direct bacterial invasion into the inner ear leads to potentially severe, irreversible hearing loss, vertigo and spontaneous nystagmus toward the healthy side. Magnetic resonance image might be helpful to recognize the inflammatory lesions of the labyrinth. Treatment for tympanogenic labyrinthitis includes an appropriate use of antibiotics and establishment a draining route. Recently, we experienced an unusual case of acute suppurative labyrinthitis complicated by chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma. We also review and discuss the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings and treatment strategy of this disease.

Keyword

Labyrinthitis; Otitis media

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cholesteatoma
Ear, Inner
Hearing Loss
Humans
Labyrinthitis
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Otitis
Otitis Media
Vertigo
Anti-Bacterial Agents