Vestibulocochlear infarct: a challenging diagnosis

Vestibulocochlear infarct, most commonly associated with infarction of a terminal branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, presents with acute vertigo and sensorineural hearing loss. It often mimics peripheral vestibular disorders and may show no abnormal findings on neuroimaging, making the diagnosis particularly challenging....

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Clinicians should keep inner-ear stroke (vestibulocochlear infarct) on the differential when a patient presents with acute vertigo and sudden sensorineural hearing loss, as misdiagnosis is common; however, this single case-level article does not provide enough evidence to change established diagnostic protocols.

Vestibulocochlear infarct is a rare but serious stroke mimic that, if missed, can delay life-saving treatment — heightening the need for audiologists and ENTs to flag sudden audiovestibular loss as a potential vascular emergency.

1. 01Vestibulocochlear infarct results from occlusion of a terminal branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA).
2. 02Cardinal presentation is acute-onset vertigo combined with sudden sensorineural (nerve-related) hearing loss.
3. 03The condition is diagnostically challenging because symptoms overlap with common inner-ear disorders such as labyrinthitis.
4. 04Early recognition is critical because the underlying cause is a stroke requiring urgent vascular management.
5. 05Published in Orvosi Hetilap (Hungarian Medical Journal), reflecting ongoing international clinical interest in this rare entity.

PMID

42604547

DOI

10.1556/650.2026.33625.

Journal

Orvosi Hetilap

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients presenting with acute vertigo and sensorineural hearing loss due to suspected inner-ear vascular event

Intervention

Diagnostic evaluation of vestibulocochlear infarct