Progressive cochleo-vestibular labyrinthitis

OBJECTIVE: We report a rare case of sudden deafness and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) corresponding to a canalithiasis of the ipsilateral left posterior semicircular canal (PSC). CASE REPORT: The initial examination showed intact lateral semicircular canal (LSC) function. Cerebral MRI results were normal. However evoked otoacoustics emissions were absent in the left ear. The patient developed, in the course of one week, symptoms and signs of an acute unilateral vestibulopathy in the same ear. However there were no change in hearing loss after it. CONCLUSION: The association of BPPV acute vestibulopathy and sudden deafness is uncommon but usually the former develops well after the second and third. This case is best explained by a vestibulocochlear labyrinthitis.