eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Ear, Nose, & Throat
Perilymph Fistula: Treatment & Medication
Updated: Jun 30, 2009
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
Treatment
Emergency Department Care
The primary purpose of emergency evaluation is to seek other, more emergent causes of symptoms. However, consider the diagnosis with hearing loss and vertigo following head trauma. Vertigo suppressants, such as diazepam and meclizine, may be used, although their benefit remains unproven in this setting. Medical therapy is rarely reported. Some reports exist of spontaneous healing with bedrest, head elevation to 30°, and avoidance of lifting or middle-ear pressure–increasing activities.
Consultations
Consult with an otolaryngologist.
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| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Perilymph Fistula |
Treatment & Medication: Perilymph Fistula |
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References
Ikezono T, Shindo S, Sekiguchi S, Hanprasertpong C, Li L, Pawankar R, et al. Cochlin-Tomoprotein: A Novel Perilymph-Specific Protein and a Potential Marker for the Diagnosis of Perilymphatic Fistula. Audiol Neurootol. Apr 15 2009;14(5):338-344. [Medline].
Bhansali SA. Perilymph fistula. Ear Nose Throat J. Jan 1989;68(1):11, 14-6, 21-8. [Medline].
Bruzzone MG, Grisoli M, De Simone T, Regna-Gladin C. Neuroradiological features of vertigo. Neurol Sci. Mar 2004;25 Suppl 1:S20-3. [Medline].
deJong AL. Congenital perilymphatic fistula. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Nov 1998;124(11):1279-81. [Medline].
Fitzgerald DC. Head trauma: hearing loss and dizziness. J Trauma. Mar 1996;40(3):488-96. [Medline].
Fitzgerald DC, Getson P, Brasseux CO. Perilymphatic fistula: a Washington, DC, experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. Oct 1997;106(10 Pt 1):830-7. [Medline].
Friedland DR, Wackym PA. A critical appraisal of spontaneous perilymphatic fistulas of the inner ear. Am J Otol. Mar 1999;20(2):261-76; discussion 276-9. [Medline].
Grimm RJ, Hemenway WG, Lebray PR, Black FO. The perilymph fistula syndrome defined in mild head trauma. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1989;464:1-40. [Medline].
Jones R. Current status of perilymphatic fistula. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Nov 1998;124(11):1281-2. [Medline].
Meyerhoff WL, Marple BF. Perilymphatic fistula. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. Apr 1994;27(2):411-26. [Medline].
Minor LB. Labyrinthine fistulae: pathobiology and management. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Oct 2003;11(5):340-6. [Medline].
Wall C, Rauch SD. Perilymph fistula pathophysiology. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Jan 1995;112(1):145-53. [Medline].
Further Reading
Keywords
perilymph fistula, PLF, perilymph leak, inner ear, perilymph fistula treatment, perilymph fistula causes, perilymph fistula symptoms, perilymphatic fistula, labyrinthine fistula, acute perilymph fistula syndrome, chronic perilymph fistula syndrome, hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, disequilibrium, aural fullness, benign positional vertigo
Treatment & Medication: Perilymph Fistula