Vertigo was induced by oxygen of hyperbaric pressure therapy (OHP therapy) in three patients.
Case 1 : A 60-year-old woman with sudden deafness received OHP therapy, after which she complained of exacerbation of vertigo. Exploratory tympanotomy confirmed round window rupture.
Case 2 : A 73-year-old man received OHP therapy because of retinal edema. He had rotatory vertigo immediately after OHP therapy. Because this patient had temporary left ear fullness and left low-tone hearing loss, endolymphatic hydrops on the left side was suspected.
Case 3 : A 46-year-old man with sudden deafness on the left received OHP therapy after failure of steroid therapy to improve his hearing. He complained of exacerbation of vertigo after OHP therapy. Because dizziness persisted for one and a half years, perilymphatic fistula was suspected and exploratory tympanotomy was performed. No perilymphatic leakage was seen but connective tissue covered the round window.
These findings suggest that perilymphatic fistula or endolymphatic hydrops may induce vertigo in patients receiving OHP therapy.