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Labyrinthitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Bacterial labyrinthitis; Serous labyrinthitis; Neuronitis - vestibular; Vestibular neuronitis; Viral neurolabyrinthitis; Vestibular neuritis

Symptoms:

Abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo)
Difficulty focusing the eyes because of involuntary eye movements
Dizziness
Hearing loss in one ear
Loss of balance, such as falling toward one side
Nausea and vomiting
Ringing or other noises in the ears (tinnitus)

Signs and tests:

A complete physical and neurological exam should be done. An ear examination may not reveal any problems.

Usually, the diagnosis of layrinthitis does not require other tests. Tests will be done to rule out other causes for your symptoms. These may include:

EEG
Electronystagmography
Evoked auditory potential studies
Head CT scan
Hearing tests (audiology/audiometry)
MRI of the head
Warming and cooling the inner ear with water (caloric stimulation) to test eye reflexes

Ear anatomy

Reviewed last on: 9/27/2008
Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. 9/11/08

References

Polensek SH. Labyrinthitis. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2008: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.

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