RESUMO
Acute viral labyrinthitis occurs seasonally in one in 600 patients and may last for up to 2 weeks or more. There is no demonstrablecause and etiology for the disease and it remains speculative. The most common virus associated with labyrinthitis is influenza,whereas some cases may even be associated with unidentifiable viruses. This is a rare case report where an 11-year-old girlwith viral labyrinthitis mysteriously presented with tender swellings on the forehead which puzzled the pediatrician and the ENTconsult in arriving at a diagnosis. This child presented only with mild-to-moderate grade fever and headache initially. Noneof her presenting illness was contributory toward labyrinthitis. Her blood count was normal and there were no inflammatorymarkers present. After culture sensitivity testing and a 10-day initial therapy with norfloxacin, her symptoms improved. However,2 weeks later, she again presented with severe dizziness and fainting episodes and mild ear pain which favored diagnosis towardviral labyrinthitis. The swellings and fever disappeared after prompt treatment. Here, the forehead swellings were very muchmisleading and kept the pediatrician and the ENT surgeon in confusion. This case report could be an eye-opener in this area