Labyrinthitis is an inflammation or infection of the inner ear labyrinth that can be caused by viral or bacterial pathogens. It leads to symptoms like vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and nausea. Diagnosis involves taking a medical history, physical examination, and audiogram. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms like vertigo and nausea with medications. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections while antiviral drugs may be used for viral causes. Nursing care aims to help the patient manage symptoms safely and prevent injury during acute vertigo attacks.

1. LABYRINTHITIS
Mr. Binu Babu
M.Sc. Nursing
Mrs. Jincy Ealias
M.Sc. Nursing

2. • Labyrinthitis is an inflammation or infection of labyrinth of
the inner ear and can be caused by either viral or
bacterial pathogens.

3. ETIOLOGY
• Viral infection
• Common cause
• Mumps, rubella, rubeola, and influenza
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Bacterial infection
• Drug toxicity
• Allergy
• Acute or chronic otitis media
• Head injury
• Herpetiform disorders of the facial and acoustic nerves
(ie, ramsay hunt syndrome)

4. TYPES
1. Viral Labyrinthitis : caused by viral infection.
2. Bacterial labyrinthitis: caused by bacterial infection
3. Serous labyrinthitis: intralabyrinthine inflammation
without pus formation. It is Reversible if treated early
4. Diffuse suppurative labyrinthitis: Diffuse pyogenic
infection of the labyrinth. Occurs when acute or chronic
otitis media spreads into the inner ear or after middle
ear or mastoid surgery. Cause Permanent loss of
vestibular and cochlear functions

5. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Bacteria or virus enters the inner ear from the middle ear,
meninges, or through bloodstream
Infection of inner ear
Destruction of soft tissue structures
Affects hearing and balance
Permanent hearing loss

6. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
• Vertigo
• Tinnitus
• hearing loss
• Nystagmus on the affected side
• Pain
• Fever
• Ataxia
• nausea
• vomiting

7. DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
• History collection
• Physical examination
• CBC: to rule out infection
• Audiogram: to revel hearing loss

8. MANAGEMENT
• Symptomatic management
• Patients may be placed on bedrest.
• Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.
• Viral infections usually run their course in about 1 week.
Antiviral drugs are used for viral infection.
• Antihistamine (eg, meclizine [Antivert]) to treat vertigo.
• Antiemetic . Eg: prochlorperazine
• Corticosteroids - prednisone
• Sedatives – diazepam (valium)

9. NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Help the patient manage symptoms and self-care
• Provide bed rest
• Advice the patient should avoid turning the head quickly
to help alleviate the vertigo.
• Ensure patient safety during acute attacks of vertigo.
• Prevent injury
• Minimize anxiety
• Ensure adequate fluid