Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an ear disorder that involves irritation and swelling of the inner ear. The parts of the inner ear become irritated and this interferes with their functions in hearing and balance. There are many causes of of labyrinthitis the most common cause occurs after an ear infection or upper respiratory infection. Symptoms include vertigo, dizziness, loss of balance and equilibrium, nausea and vomiting, ringing of the ear, and difficulty focusing the eyes because of involuntary eye movement. There are many different names for Labyrinthitis such as:
-Bacterial labyrinthitis
-Serous labyrinthitis
-Neuronitis
-Viral neurolabyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis usually goes away within a few weeks. Some symptoms may need treatment with antibiotics. Most patients are completely better and their hearing returns to normal. However, calcifications or ossificans can appear after Labyrinthitis.

Labyrinthitis ossificans. Axial CT shows new bone formation partially obliterating left cochlea.

Labryinthitis ossificans is the pathologic formation of new bone within the lumen of the otic capsule and usually occurs in response to a destructive or inflammatory process. It is a condition in which the inner ear is filled with fibrotic tissue, which then calcifies. It mostly affects the cochlea, but the vestibule and semicircular canals can also be involved. Labyrinthitis ossificans most commonly develop after having bacterial meningitis. Labyrinthitis ossificans can also result from temporal bone trauma, Leukemia, suppurative labyrinthitis, and autoimmune inner ear disease. Labyrinthitis ossificans can cause profound deafness and loss of vestibular function.


On the left images of a 56-year old male, who is a candidate for cochlear implantation. Small calcification in basal turn of cochlea as a result of labyrinthitis ossificans (arrows).

The treatment for this uses several different medications along with steroids as well as surgery and hearing aids. Since the occurrence of ossification virtually guarantees that hearing will not be restored the cochlear implant is a very important treatment option.