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What is it?
Causes of labyrinthine dysfunction
Diagnosis
Diagnostic testing
Treatment
What is it?
Causes of labyrinthine dysfunction
Diagnosis
Diagnostic testing
Treatment
The labyrinth is the medical terminology for the inner ear. The inner ear consists of a complex area in the temporal bone and can be divided into three parts: the cochlea (hearing chamber), semicircular canals (balance chamber), and the vestibule (connecting both the hearing and balance chambers; it contains the utricle and saccule). All three parts form a continuous and tortuous space containing different fluids (endolymph, perilymph, and cortilymph), each separated by delicate membranes. Any abnormality that is related to either the function of the labyrinth or the labyrinthine sensors is considered a labyrinthine dysfunction. In most situations with labyrinthine dysfunction, the labyrinth does not properly respond to movement changes of the body. Specifically each side of the inner ear should send information to the brain in an equal manner. When one labyrinth sends very different information to the brain than the other, a labyrinthine dysfunction exists.
The causes of labyrinthine dysfunction can vary greatly, however some of the leading causes are listed here:
The diagnosis of labyrinthine dysfunction is based upon both the patient's subjective complaints and diagnostic testing. Generally, patients will complain of such vestibular symptoms as vertigo with or without head positional changes, disequilibrium or feeling off balance, motion intolerance, nausea and vomiting, disorganization of memory and concentration, perceptual disorganization in complex surroundings such as crowds or traffic. Diagnostically, patients will have abnormal test results for a vestibular dysfunction. Back to Top
There are a number of tests that are helpful in identifying a labyrinthine dysfunction. They include:
Treatments can range from medical therapy, home exercises, physical therapy, or a combination of those therapies. In a few cases surgery may be needed to resolve the dizziness.