Late pneumolabyrinth after stapedectomy.

INTRODUCTION

Pneumolabyrinth is defined as the presence of air within the inner ear causing cochleovestibular signs and symptoms. Twenty-seven cases of pneumolabyrinth are published in the literature of which only two were described as delayed pneumolabyrinth as a complication of stapes surgery.

CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old male patient presented with vertigo after Valsalva maneuver 12 years after stapedectomy. He was diagnosed with delayed pneumolabyrinth on high resolution computed tomography and underwent an exploratory tympanotomy with surgical repair.

DISCUSSION: Delayed pneumolabyrinth is a rare complication of stapes surgery and should be considered in patients presenting with vestibulocochlear symptoms even many years later. An exploratory tympanotomy is recommended for patients diagnosed with pneumolabyrinth and having a sensorineural hearing loss and/or persistent vertigo.