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Published on: August 30, 2019
Interferon-alpha-2b/ribavirin-induced vestibulocochlear toxicity with dysautonomia in a chronic hepatitis C patient
Kristin Johnson1, Lisa A Sargent, Christopher Galizio
1Neurology, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Abstract:
A 57-year-old man developed vertigo, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss and postural intolerance temporally related to the administration of pegylated interferon-alpha-2b/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C viral infection. Clinical examination showed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, subjective vertigo with saccadic intrusions during fixation and smooth visual pursuit, and supine hypertension followed by orthostatic hypotension with inadequate reflexive compensatory cardiovascular responses. Laboratory assessment showed marked hemolytic anemia. Formal audiometry revealed high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss with abnormal high-frequency distortion product otoacoustic emissions, indicative of damage to the cochlear outer hair cells. Cessation of therapy resulted in rapid clinical resolution with mild residual hearing loss and tinnitus. This case report illustrates vestibulocochlear and autonomic nervous system adverse effects of pegylated interferon-alpha-2b/ribavirin, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and cessation of therapy to prevent permanent neurootologic injury.
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