A Case of Paroxysmal Vertigo Due to Fracture of the Styloid Process

Abstract

Since he received a stranglehold during a Judo bout, the patient had experienced repeated episodes of paroxysmal vertigo. The patient was a 16-year-old male with a chief complaint of horizontal oscillating vision. Plain X-ray examination during the initial consultation did not show a definite fracture of the styloid process. Balance testing disclosed no significant finding. Helical scan CT delineated a fracture in the center of the left styloid process and anterior deviation of the fractured segment. The mechanisms of oscillopia in this patient were considered to be the following; 1) the fractured segment of the styloid process stimulated the tensor muscle of the velum palatini causing a spasm, and induces symptoms of the inner ear, which is similar to the mechanism of Costen syndrome. 2) the fractured segment stimulated the autonomic nerves near the carotid artery, especially the vagal nerve when he raised his head, and induces transient hypotension, which caused an ischemic brain stem lesion. The present case was an extremely rare case involving a fracture of the styloid process with paroxysmal vertigo. © 1995, Japan Society for Equilibrium Research. All rights reserved.