Labyrinthine hemorrhage: practical lessons from a rare cause of acute vestibular syndrome

Labyrinthine hemorrhage (LH) is a rare cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and acute vestibular syndrome (AVS), which may mimic both peripheral and central etiologies. We report a case of a 76-year-old male on edoxaban therapy presenting with sudden right-sided SNHL and vertigo....

Clinicians evaluating acute vestibular syndrome (sudden dizziness with balance disruption) should keep labyrinthine hemorrhage in the differential, especially when simultaneous sudden sensorineural hearing loss is present, as MRI with FLAIR/T1 sequences is needed for diagnosis; no practice-changing evidence is introduced, but diagnostic vigilance is reinforced.

Labyrinthine hemorrhage is easily confused with stroke or Menière's disease, and missed diagnosis can lead to delayed treatment and permanent hearing loss.

1. 01Labyrinthine hemorrhage is a rare but important cause of acute vestibular syndrome and sudden SNHL.
2. 02Its presentation can mimic both peripheral (inner-ear) and central (brain) vestibular disorders, complicating diagnosis.
3. 03Case-based format offers practical clinical lessons for recognition and differential diagnosis.
4. 04MRI is critical for distinguishing labyrinthine hemorrhage from stroke and other etiologies.
5. 05Early identification may limit permanent auditory and vestibular damage.

PMID

42119528

DOI

10.1055/s-0046-1818604.

Journal

Seminars in Hearing

Publication type

case_report

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients presenting with acute vestibular syndrome and sudden sensorineural hearing loss attributed to labyrinthine hemorrhage

Intervention

Clinical review and case-based analysis of labyrinthine hemorrhage presentation and diagnosis