Anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction presenting with sudden hearing loss and vertigo

Laryngoscope. 2007 Mar;117(3):556-8. doi: 10.1097/MLG.0b013e3180303ed0.

Abstract

A peripheral origin is typically contemplated in a patient presenting with sudden hearing loss (HL) and dizziness without other neurologic manifestations. Although symptoms of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) infarction include sudden HL and vertigo, the clinical picture usually shows ipsilateral facial anesthesia or paralysis, Horner's syndrome, contralateral body anesthesia, or cerebellar dysmetria. A 68-year-old female patient developed sudden HL in the right ear and vertigo. A left-beating horizontal torsional nystagmus was observed, and caloric weakness in the right side was noted. Diffusion- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebellar infarction in the right AICA territory. AICA infarction may present without obvious neurologic deficits, and an imaging study is advised in patients at high risk for vascular accidents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Audiometry
  • Brain Infarction / complications*
  • Brain Infarction / diagnosis
  • Brain Infarction / drug therapy
  • Cerebellar Diseases / complications*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cerebellar Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cerebellum / blood supply*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / drug therapy
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Vertigo / diagnosis
  • Vertigo / drug therapy
  • Vertigo / etiology*

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors