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, IT CAN BE A MANIFESTATION OF SYSTEMIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE OR HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS IN SOME CASES. ALTHOUGH MOST PATIENTS ACHIEVE COMPLETE RECOVERY, PATIENTS MAY BE LEFT WITH RESIDUAL BALANCE OR HEARING PROBLEMS IN SOME CASES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF LABYRINTHITIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.