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Mesotympanic sarcoidosis.
1Department of Otolaryngology, Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. rasmayi2000@yahoo.co.uk
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|September 15, 2005
Summary
Sarcoidosis, a systemic inflammatory disease, can affect the ear. This case highlights sarcoidosis presenting as conductive hearing loss due to middle ear granulomas, a rare manifestation.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis commonly affects the head and neck, typically involving the nose, larynx, parotid glands, and cervical lymph nodes.
- Ocular and sensorineural hearing loss are the usual ear manifestations of sarcoidosis.
Observation:
- A patient presented with conductive hearing loss, an atypical symptom for sarcoidosis affecting the ear.
- Exploratory tympanotomy revealed granulomata within the middle ear.
Findings:
- The granulomatous process in the middle ear led to necrosis of the long process of the incus.
- The sarcoidosis also encased the chorda tympani nerve, indicating significant local inflammatory involvement.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of sarcoidosis's otologic manifestations, emphasizing the potential for middle ear involvement and conductive hearing loss.
- Highlights the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained middle ear pathology and hearing impairment.