Blunt trauma of the head can result in temporal bone fracture. Different classifications
exist, but from a functional perspective, to distinguish otic capsule sparing and
otic capsule disrupting fractures is superior to the classic nomenclature. Disruption
of the otic capsule is often associated with sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular
dysfunction, cerebrospinal leakage, or even intracranial consequences. Pneumolabyrinth
describes the condition when air is enclosed within the inner ear. It is a result
of a pathological communication between the labyrinth and the middle ear spaces that
often occurs due to trauma. It is not a ubiquitous but obvious radiographic hallmark
otic capsule violation. The present case is about a young woman who suffered a temporal
bone fracture that involved the right lateral semicircular canal. Multiplanar and
segmentation images were generated to depict the pneumolabyrinth developed in the
lateral semicircular canal. Despite the preserved hearing, vestibular dysfunction
was registered during the video head impulse test and videonystagmography. Treatment
of pneumolabyrinth after temporal hone fracture can he a matter of surgery or conservative
therapy. In the present case, we preferred conservative therapy because of the absence
of serious consequences. Nevertheless, timing and the type of therapeutic modality
must be personalized.
