A Case of Acute Suppurative Labyrinthitis Complicated by Chronic Otitis Media / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

With the development of antibiotics, tympanogenic labyrinthitis complicated by otitis media rarely occurs nowadays. Only few cases of acute serous or suppurative labyrinthitis in otitis media patients have been reported previously in the literature. Acute suppurative labyrinthitis caused by direct bacterial invasion into the inner ear leads to potentially severe, irreversible hearing loss, vertigo and spontaneous nystagmus toward the healthy side. Magnetic resonance image might be helpful to recognize the inflammatory lesions of the labyrinth. Treatment for tympanogenic labyrinthitis includes an appropriate use of antibiotics and establishment a draining route. Recently, we experienced an unusual case of acute suppurative labyrinthitis complicated by chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma. We also review and discuss the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings and treatment strategy of this disease.