Endolymphatic Hydrops Secondary to Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

Abstract

Background

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension may be associated with neuro-otological symptoms that might mimic Menière’s disease.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 53-year-old male presenting bi-frontal headache with recurrent spells of vertigo, left fluctuating hearing loss, and tinnitus. Dedicated brain and inner ear Magnetic Resonance Imaging, including a post-contrast 4 hours delayed FLAIR sequence, revealed typical signs of spontaneous intracranial hypotension associated with endolymphatic hydrops involving the left saccule and cochlea.

Conclusions

Audio vestibular manifestations mimicking Menière's disease in spontaneous intracranial hypotension could be explained by endolymphatic hydrops, which can be detected using dedicated magnetic resonance imaging sequences.