Postoperative vertigo is a complication of stapes surgery, sometimes associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Among its variants, a canalith jam is a rare entity characterized by mechanical obstruction of endolymphatic flow by otoconia with subsequent canal-specific hypofunction....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Surgeons and audiologists should be aware that canalith jam is a potential post-stapes-surgery complication; however, this single case report is too preliminary to change routine screening or counseling protocols.
Identifying canalith jam as a novel surgical complication expands the differential diagnosis for post-stapes-surgery dizziness and may prompt earlier targeted vestibular evaluation.
- 01First reported case of canalith jam occurring as a complication of stapes surgery.
- 02Presented as a variant of BPPV (brief episodes of spinning triggered by head position changes).
- 03Highlights a gap in pre-operative counseling regarding post-surgical vestibular complications.
- 04Clinicians should include canalith jam in the differential for unexplained post-operative dizziness.
Canalith jam is a novel postoperative complication of stapes surgery.
studypartially supportedThe presentation resembles a variant of BPPV.
studysupported- PMID
- 42996649
- DOI
- 10.26599/JOTO.2026.9540081.
- Journal
- Journal of Otology
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1
- Population
- Patient undergoing stapes surgery who developed post-operative canalith jam
- Intervention
- Stapes surgery
Primary outcomes
Occurrence and characterization of canalith jam as a post-operative complication; Vestibular symptom profile post-surgery