LABYRINTHITIS

Course overview

LABYRINTHITIS IS AN INFLAMMATION OF THE MEMBRANOUS LABYRINTH OF THE INNER EAR AND TYPICALLY PRESENTS WITH VERTIGO, NAUSEA, VOMITING, TINNITUS, AND/OR HEARING IMPAIRMENT/ LOSS. IT IS NORMALLY CAUSED BY A BACTERIAL OR VIRAL INFECTION. HOWEVER, IN SOME CASES, IT CAN BE A MANIFESTATION OF SYSTEMIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE OR HIV. ALTHOUGH MOST PATIENTS MAKE A COMPLETE RECOVERY, IN SOME CASES, PATIENTS MAY BE LEFT WITH RESIDUAL BALANCE OR HEARING PROBLEMS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF LABYRINTHITIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN EVALUATING AND TREATING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.