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Ulcerative colitis presenting as sensorineural deafness, brainstem encephalopathy, and white matter lesions
Hiroshi Nemoto1, Hiroaki Iguchi, Yasumitsu Ichikawa
1Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo. nemoto33@med.toho-u.ac.jp
Background:
Several rare neurologic complications of ulcerative colitis have been reported.
Review Summary:
We report a 69-year-old Japanese woman who developed bilateral sensorineural deafness, 2 attacks of bilateral ophthalmoplegia, and bilateral facial nerve palsy in association with ulcerative colitis. Laboratory data showed elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein without pleocytosis, abnormal auditory brainstem evoked potentials, and multiple high signal lesions on magnetic resonance imaging of the brainstem and cerebral deep white matter. Her symptoms improved with corticosteroid therapy except for sensorineural deafness and an exacerbation of cerebral deep white matter lesions without any new clinical signs.
Conclusion:
Immunologic mechanisms may have led to her central and peripheral nervous system findings in addition to her colon disorder.