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Red ear syndrome presenting with vestibular migraine: case study and review of the literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2021

S Kaneda*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tokai University, Isehara-shi, Japan
F Goto
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tokai University, Isehara-shi, Japan
T Teramura
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tokai University, Isehara-shi, Japan
K Okami
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tokai University, Isehara-shi, Japan
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Shoji Kaneda, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara-shi, Kanagawa259-1193, Japan E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +81 463 94 1611

Abstract

Background

Red ear syndrome is a rare disorder in which the colour of the ear suddenly becomes red, with discomfort, pain and a burning sensation. This paper reports a case of primary red ear syndrome presenting with vestibular migraine.

Case report

A 39-year-old woman from Bangladesh reported dizziness and repeated headaches experienced since 18 years of age. She initially attended our hospital with dizziness aged 34 years. When dizzy, the colour of her right ear sometimes became red. Therefore, she was diagnosed with red ear syndrome with vestibular migraine.

Conclusion

This patient experienced repeated episodes of a red ear with discomfort, leading to the diagnosis of red ear syndrome. In addition, she had repeated dizziness and headaches, and was also diagnosed with vestibular migraine. The diagnosis of red ear syndrome with vestibular migraine should be considered in cases of dizziness and headache with recurrent redness of the ear.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr S Kaneda takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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