Soonchunhyang Med Sci.  2017 Dec;23(2):108-111. 10.0000/sms.2017.23.2.108.

Clinical Features of Patients with Labyrinthine Concussion after Head Trauma

• Lee CK
• Park KH

• KMID: 2404852
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/sms.2017.23.2.108

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Blunt head injury can lead to isolated damage of the inner ear (cochlear labyrinthine concussion) or damage of the otolith organ (vestibular labyrinthine concussion) due to a bone conduction pressure. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of hearing impairment in patients who suffered from a blunt head trauma without any organic problems, including temporal bone fracture or intracranial hemorrhage.
METHODS
This retrospective study examined 9 patients presenting with hearing impairment after blunt head trauma within recent 5 years. This study included only patients without temporal bone fracture or intracranial hemorrhage.
RESULTS
Most patients complained of associated auditory symptoms including tinnitus, dizziness, earfullness, and otalgia. Twelve ears of 9 patients showed sensorineural hearing loss; mild (1 ear), moderate (3 ears), moderate-severe (4 ears), severe (2 ears), and profound (2 ears). After high-dose steroid therapy, 2 ears had a significant hearing gain, but 10 ears showed no improvement of hearing.
CONCLUSION
Blunt head injury is one of the most common causes of the neurologic disorders. It is important to perform thorough assessment of auditory symptoms as soon as possible. Otologic consultation should be sought in all cases for appropriate management.

Keyword

Inner ear; Concussion; Craniocerebral trauma

MeSH Terms

Bone Conduction
Craniocerebral Trauma*
Dizziness
Ear
Ear, Inner
Earache
Head Injuries, Closed
Head*
Hearing
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Humans
Intracranial Hemorrhages
Nervous System Diseases
Otolithic Membrane
Retrospective Studies
Temporal Bone
Tinnitus