Paralabyrinthitis: A Case Report

Abstract

This is a case report of paralabyrinthitis (paralabyrinthäre Eiterungen), a type of pyramidal inflammation. A 47-year-old male with left acute otitis media was treated with antibiotics, but recovery was slow. In the 7th week he developed left facial paralysis and pain in the left temporal region; subsequently hearing impairment in the left ear increased and episodes of dizziness persisted. Four months later, the patient was admitted to our department. Treatment with antibiotics was not effective. Mastoidectomy was performed one month after admission. He developed paralysis of the left cranial nerves V, IX, X and XI, so left radical mastoidectomy with curettage of the perilabyrinthine cells was performed 2 months after admission, but still there was no improvement. However, the nervous symptoms were improved by the concurrent use of steroids and antibiotics. The patient was discharged after about 6 months of hospitalization, but partial paralysis of cranial nerves VII, VIII, IX, X and XI remained.