A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report

Abstract Background Intra-aural tick infestations, though uncommon, pose a serious clinical challenge owing to the risk of acute labyrinthitis—an inflammatory condition of the inner ear. This inflammation can lead to severe complications such as sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, and facial nerve...

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Main Authors: Ankita Shah, Deepak Paudel, Aman Shah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-05021-0
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author Ankita Shah
Deepak Paudel
Aman Shah
author_facet Ankita Shah
Deepak Paudel
Aman Shah
author_sort Ankita Shah
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Intra-aural tick infestations, though uncommon, pose a serious clinical challenge owing to the risk of acute labyrinthitis—an inflammatory condition of the inner ear. This inflammation can lead to severe complications such as sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, and facial nerve palsy. Prompt recognition and management are crucial to prevent these adverse outcomes. Case presentation A 21-year-old female patient of Limbu ethnicity from Dharan presented with sudden-onset right-sided otalgia, accompanied by vertigo, emesis, and auditory impairment. Otoscopic examination revealed a tick lodged in the anteroinferior aspect of the external auditory canal, and audiological assessment indicated profound sensorineural hearing loss on the affected side. Treatment involved careful tick removal using suction and forceps, supplemented by pharmacotherapy including antiinflammatory agents, analgesics, systemic steroids, and prophylactic antibiotics. Her symptoms resolved completely within 4 weeks, with postinterventional audiometry confirming restored auditory acuity. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of prompt clinical assessment and treatment in cases of aural tick infestation. The successful use of a multimodal approach highlights the effectiveness of comprehensive management. Further research is warranted to optimize treatment strategies and improve outcomes in similar cases.
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spelling doaj-art-173a7ea818924e4fb2710744dfd2a4102025-01-12T12:25:32ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-01-011911410.1186/s13256-024-05021-0A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case reportAnkita Shah0Deepak Paudel1Aman Shah2Otorhinolaryngology & HNS, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health SciencesOtorhinolaryngology & HNS, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health SciencesB.P. Koirala Institute of Health SciencesAbstract Background Intra-aural tick infestations, though uncommon, pose a serious clinical challenge owing to the risk of acute labyrinthitis—an inflammatory condition of the inner ear. This inflammation can lead to severe complications such as sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, and facial nerve palsy. Prompt recognition and management are crucial to prevent these adverse outcomes. Case presentation A 21-year-old female patient of Limbu ethnicity from Dharan presented with sudden-onset right-sided otalgia, accompanied by vertigo, emesis, and auditory impairment. Otoscopic examination revealed a tick lodged in the anteroinferior aspect of the external auditory canal, and audiological assessment indicated profound sensorineural hearing loss on the affected side. Treatment involved careful tick removal using suction and forceps, supplemented by pharmacotherapy including antiinflammatory agents, analgesics, systemic steroids, and prophylactic antibiotics. Her symptoms resolved completely within 4 weeks, with postinterventional audiometry confirming restored auditory acuity. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of prompt clinical assessment and treatment in cases of aural tick infestation. The successful use of a multimodal approach highlights the effectiveness of comprehensive management. Further research is warranted to optimize treatment strategies and improve outcomes in similar cases.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-05021-0TickLabrynthitisSensorineuralVertigoOtoscopy
spellingShingle Ankita Shah
Deepak Paudel
Aman Shah
A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Tick
Labrynthitis
Sensorineural
Vertigo
Otoscopy
title A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report
title_full A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report
title_fullStr A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report
title_full_unstemmed A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report
title_short A case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra-aural tick infestation: a case report
title_sort case of acute labyrinthitis due to intra aural tick infestation a case report
topic Tick
Labrynthitis
Sensorineural
Vertigo
Otoscopy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-05021-0
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