[Sensorineural deafness in Guillain-Barré syndrome]

The patient was a 31-year-old woman in whom facial paralysis occurred 1 week after the onset of pyelonephritis. Peripheral facial paralysis, sensorineural deafness, dysarthria, weakness of the four limbs, loss of tendon reflex, and peripheral sensory disturbance of the four limbs were noted during the initial examination. These symptoms were dominant in left side. The number of cells and protein level were increased in the cerebrospinal fluid, and reduced motor nerve action potential was detected with peripheral nerve conduction test. Based on these findings, axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was diagnosed. Left side-dominant bilateral hypoacusia was noted with audiogram, and left side-dominant bilateral prolongation of I wave latency was noted with auditory brainstem response (ABR). The ABR findings indicated that the auditory nerve was impaired on the peripheral side, which may have been associated with GBS. Interestingly, the laterality of the auditory nerve impairment was marked as with other neurological signs, such as paralysis. Since fewer cases of hearing impairment associated with GBS have been reported, further neurotological approaches to GBS are necessary.