Transmastoid labyrinthectomy for disabling vertigo after cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To document the use of transmastoid labyrinthectomy in the treatment of disabling vertigo after unilateral cochlear implantation.

METHODS: A 58-year-old man with severe-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss secondary to chronic otitis media underwent cochlear implantation in his right ear with a Pulsar Med-El device. The surgery was uneventful and the electrode was positioned correctly. He had episodic vertigo three months after implant surgery, and medical treatment and aggressive vestibular rehabilitation did not relieve the vertigo attacks.

RESULTS: Right transmastoid labyrinthectomy was performed one year after cochlear implantation. The patient's symptoms were immediately relieved, and cochlear implant function was not adversely affected at follow up after three years.

CONCLUSION: Transmastoid labyrinthectomy seems to be an effective, safe method for ablating the vestibular end organ after unilateral cochlear implantation.