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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Surgical Induction of Endolymphatic Hydrops by Obliteration of the Endolymphatic Duct
Published on: January 22, 2010
Recovery of otoacoustic emission function in luetic endolymphatic hydrops: a possible measure of improvement in
Robert H Chun1, Jayant M Pinto, Rebecca Blankenhorn
1Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue, P.O. Box 1997, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
Abstract:
Syphilis is a preventable and curable multi-organ disease caused by Treponema pallidum that may also affect the inner ear. First reported in 1887 by Adam Politzer, luetic endolymphatic hydrops (LEH) is a treatable complication of syphilis which causes a potentially reversible sensorineural hearing loss. Symptoms of LEH include fluctuating hearing loss (often low frequency), tinnitus, and vertigo. Though audiometric parameters have been examined in patients with otosyphilis, few studies have examined the use of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) as a tool to measure improvement in cochlear function. Here we report an improvement in hearing loss, speech discrimination, and OAEs following treatment of LEH.
