lordalex had an episode of sudden onset dizziness last October.
He went to the GP next day , was diagnosed with labyrinthitis and given stemetil . A few days later, though the dizziness had mostly cleared up, he realised that he was deaf and had tinnitus in his right ear. Previously his hearing had been OK.
He saw a different GP who diagnosed benign paroxismal postural vertigo and then twisted his head about a bit which seems to have completely settled the dizziness.
This GP also referred him to the audiology department where, at the start of January he had his hearing tested and has since been supplied with a hearing aid.
This week a letter plopped on to the mat giving him an appointment for an MRI scan on his auditory meatus. This has alarmed him somewhat.
Can anyone enlighten me as to what they are looking for with the MRI scan, what they are likely to find, etc?
Thanks guys.
" he realised that he was deaf and had tinnitus in his right ear. Previously his hearing had been OK. "
and thereby lies the clue.
The MRI scan is to eliminate the possibility of a benign tumour known as an Accoustic Neuroma. Not malignant, presses on the nerve of hearing and can be removed surgically.
My opinion: from the vary full and informative history that you have given, by guess would be that the MRI scan will be normal.
Forgot to say that the audiology technician (hope I'm using the correct title ) who did his hearing test said that the deafness was probably the result of viral labyrinthitis and had the first GP given him a steroid at the time of consultation then there would have been a chance of 'curing' the deafness.
This would have been a bit tricky for the first GP as he did not report deafness to her as he really had not noticed it at that point...too busy being dizzy.
Is what the audiology chap said kosher? Have to admit to some scepticism, but I know nothing of such things.
\\ was probably the result of viral labyrinthitis and had the first GP given him a steroid at the time of consultation then there would have been a chance of 'curing' the deafness. \\\