Labyrinthitis Treatment & Management

  • Author: Mark E Boston, MD; Chief Editor: Robert A Egan, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 19, 2012
 

Approach Considerations

Viral labyrinthitis

The initial treatment for viral labyrinthitis consists of bed rest and hydration. Most patients can be treated on an outpatient basis. However, they should be cautioned to seek further medical care for worsening symptoms, especially neurologic symptoms (eg, diplopia, slurred speech, gait disturbances, localized weakness or numbness). Patients with severe nausea and vomiting may benefit from intravenous (IV) fluid and antiemetic medications.

Bacterial labyrinthitis

For bacterial labyrinthitis, antibiotic treatment is selected based on culture and sensitivity results. Treatment of suppurative labyrinthitis is aimed at eradicating the underlying infection, providing supportive care to the patient, draining middle ear effusions or mastoid infections, and preventing the spread of infection.

Surgical Care

In cases of labyrinthitis resulting from otitis media, perform a myringotomy and evacuate the effusion. A ventilation tube also may be indicated. Middle ear effusion should be sent for microscopic evaluation, as well as culture and sensitivity.

Mastoiditis and cholesteatoma are handled best with surgical drainage and debridement by way of a mastoidectomy.

Consultations

Consult a neurosurgeon in the event of suppurative intracranial complications. Consultation with an infectious disease specialist may be warranted in the presence of systemic infection or unusual or atypical infections.

Inpatient care

Most patients with labyrinthitis can be evaluated and treated in the emergency department and then discharged. Some patients with intractable vertigo and vomiting may require admission.

For patients with a possible severe, underlying condition (eg, vertebrobasilar ischemia or brainstem tumor), admission to the hospital may be appropriate under the direction of a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, or both.

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Pharmacologic Therapy

Viral labyrinthitis

Diazepam or other benzodiazepines are occasionally helpful as a vestibular suppressant. A short course of oral corticosteroids may be helpful. Currently, the role of antiviral therapy is not established.

In a randomized, controlled trial by Strupp et al, steroids (methylprednisolone) were found to be more effective than antiviral agents (valacyclovir) for recovery of peripheral vestibular function in patients with vestibular neuritis.[22] This may also apply to the treatment of viral labyrinthitis.

The antiviral drugs acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir shorten the duration of viral shedding in persons with herpes zoster oticus and may prevent some auditory and vestibular damage if started early in the clinical course. Administer corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and edema in the facial canal and labyrinth.

Bacterial labyrinthitis

For bacterial labyrinthitis, antibiotic treatment is selected based on culture and sensitivity results. Antibiotic treatment should consist of broad-spectrum antibiotic or combination therapy with CNS penetration until culture results are available. Treat the vertigo symptomatically as indicated. The use of steroids in meningogenic hearing loss is controversial.

Studies have shown that antioxidant therapy and cochlear microperfusion may be useful adjuvant treatments.[23, 24]

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Outpatient Care

Patients with persistent vestibular symptoms may be candidates for vestibular rehabilitation. For many patients with chronic vertigo due to a peripheral vestibular etiology, a simple home program of vestibular habituation head movement exercises reduces symptoms of imbalance during stance and gait.[25]

A follow-up audiogram should be performed in all patients with hearing loss and in patients who were not tested at presentation. An auditory brainstem response test is indicated for younger children.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mark E Boston, MD  Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base

Mark E Boston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Barry Strasnick, MD, FACS  Chairman, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Barry Strasnick, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Auditory Society, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Tinnitus Association, Ear Foundation Alumni Society, Norfolk Academy of Medicine, North American Skull Base Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, Vestibular Disorders Association, and Virginia Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Amalia Renee Steinberg, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Otolaryngology, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Amalia Renee Steinberg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert A Egan, MD  Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology, St Helena Hospital

Robert A Egan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Heart Association, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and Oregon Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Gerard J Gianoli, MD Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine; Vice President, The Ear and Balance Institute; Chief Executive Officer, Ponchartrain Surgery Center

Gerard J Gianoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Triological Society

Disclosure: Vesticon, Inc. None Board membership

Michael E Hoffer, MD Director, Spatial Orientation Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center of San Diego

Michael E Hoffer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Disclosure: American biloogical group Royalty Other

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Reference Salary Employment

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