Progressive cochleo-vestibular labyrinthitis.
OBJECTIVE
We report a rare case of sudden deafness and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) corresponding to a canalithiasis of the ipsilateral left posterior semicircular canal (PSC).


METHODS
The initial examination showed intact lateral semicircular canal (LSC) function. Cerebral MRI results were normal. However evoked otoacoustics emissions were absent in the left ear. The patient developed, in the course of one week, symptoms and signs of an acute unilateral vestibulopathy in the same ear. However there were no change in hearing loss after it.


CONCLUSIONS
The association of BPPV acute vestibulopathy and sudden deafness is uncommon but usually the former develops well after the second and third. This case is best explained by a vestibulocochlear labyrinthitis.
Boleas-Aguirre
M S
MS
University Hospital and Medecine School, Navarra University, ENT Department, Pio XII 36, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
Vazquez
F
F
Perez
N
N
D000328:Adult; D003051:Cochlea / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007762:Labyrinthitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000473:pathology*