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Inner ear hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus
Makoto Sugiura1, Shinji Naganawa, Masaaki Teranishi
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. makotos@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
The Laryngoscope
|May 3, 2006
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with anticardiolipin antibody can cause inner ear hemorrhage, leading to hearing loss. This case highlights a rare complication of SLE, emphasizing the need for audiological monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- Anticardiolipin antibody is a marker associated with increased risk of thrombosis.
- Hearing loss is a potential, though less common, manifestation of SLE.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old male patient with SLE and anticardiolipin antibody developed bilateral hearing deterioration at age 40.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed high signal intensity in the cochlea and vestibule.
- These findings suggested bilateral inner ear hemorrhage.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of inner ear hemorrhage in a patient diagnosed with SLE.
- The presence of anticardiolipin antibody was a key factor in diagnosing inner ear hemorrhage.
- Inner ear hemorrhage was directly linked to the patient's hearing deterioration.
Implications:
- Inner ear hemorrhage may be an underrecognized cause of hearing loss in SLE patients.
- Audiological monitoring should be considered in SLE patients, especially those with anticardiolipin antibodies.
- This case expands the spectrum of otologic manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.
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