Pneumolabyrinth and Recurrent Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo After Traumatic Stapes Fracture

Abstract

Objectives:

The development of pneumolabyrinth without previous head trauma is a rare event; the associated symptoms may be nonspecific, and they can simulate various cochleo-vestibular pathological entities. The aim of the present study is to describe one of these rare occurrences, characterized by a peculiar onset.

Methods:

We report a case of stapes fracture secondary to ear pick penetration into the middle ear with a pneumolabyrinth that caused a recurrent paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV) mimicking a canalolithiasis.

Results:

The patient developed a profound left sensorineural hearing loss and an intractable PPV with “migrant” features. A pneumolabyrinth was visualized with high-resolution computed tomography. A perilymphatic fistula (PLF) with stapes fracture was found while performing an explorative tympanotomy. After the surgical treatment of the PLF, the patient no longer complained of vestibular symptoms.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the fifth case of traumatic pneumolabyrinth simulating a canalolithiasis without previous history of temporal bone trauma and/or middle ear surgery. A pneumolabyrinth should be suspected in case of patients presenting recurrent intractable PPV after ear trauma.