Spontaneous intracochlear haemorrhage as differential diagnosis to stroke.

Spontaneous intracochlear haemorrhage can present with symptoms mimicking stroke, including unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo.

• The patient was a male in his early 70s.
• The initial clinical suspicion was stroke, indicating the diagnostic challenge posed by this condition.
• The presentation included both unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo.

Imaging timing is a critical factor in establishing the diagnosis of intracochlear haemorrhage.

• The report covers the importance of timing for establishing the diagnosis using imaging modalities.
• The case highlights that appropriate timing of imaging is necessary to differentiate intracochlear haemorrhage from stroke.
• The specific imaging modalities used and optimal timing windows are discussed as key diagnostic considerations.

Auditory rehabilitation is a relevant consideration in cases of intracochlear haemorrhage resulting in persistent hearing loss.

• The report addresses considerations for auditory rehabilitation in persisting hearing loss following intracochlear haemorrhage.
• The case involved unilateral hearing loss, which has implications for rehabilitation options.
• The rarity of the condition makes awareness of rehabilitation pathways particularly important for clinicians encountering this diagnosis.

Spontaneous intracochlear haemorrhage is identified as a rare differential diagnosis to stroke in patients presenting with acute audiovestibular symptoms.

• The condition is described as 'rare' by the authors.
• The case occurred spontaneously, without a clearly identified precipitating traumatic cause.
• The overlap of symptoms between intracochlear haemorrhage and posterior circulation stroke necessitates its inclusion in the differential diagnosis.