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Steroid-responsive sensorineural hearing loss associated with aortitis syndrome
T Kunihiro1, J Kanzaki, T O-Uchi
1Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Summary
Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with aortitis syndrome, particularly middle-aged females, demonstrated significant steroid responsiveness. This hearing loss may be a direct manifestation of the inflammatory disease process.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Aortitis syndrome, a rare inflammatory condition affecting the aorta, can present with diverse systemic manifestations.
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is an uncommon but potentially significant complication that warrants further investigation.
Observation:
- Five middle-aged female patients with aortitis syndrome presented with high-tone, gradual-onset SNHL.
- Audiometry revealed positive recruitment phenomenon in most cases, and hearing loss severity correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- A key clinical feature was the universal positive response to corticosteroid therapy.
Findings:
- SNHL in this cohort was consistently steroid-responsive, suggesting a link to the underlying inflammatory process.
- The hearing loss may represent a localized manifestation of aortitis syndrome rather than an incidental comorbidity.
- Associated conductive hearing disturbances were also noted and discussed.
Implications:
- Corticosteroid treatment should be considered for SNHL in patients diagnosed with aortitis syndrome.
- Early recognition and management of SNHL may improve outcomes for patients with aortitis syndrome.
- This study highlights the importance of audiological assessment in the comprehensive evaluation of aortitis syndrome.