Acute labyrinthitis

Background

• Acute inflammation of the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear

Etiology

• Viral labyrinthitis
  • Usually from URTI
  • Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus)
  • HIV has been associated with it (unclear relationship)
• Bacterial labyrinthitis, usually secondary to bacterial meningitis or otitis media
• Syphilis
• Autoimmune labyrinthitis, from polyarteritis nodosa or GPA

Clinical Manifestations

• Vertigo, nausea/vomiting, tinnitus, hearing loss