Sensorineural hearing loss associated with Takayasu's disease

This is a case report of sensorineural hearing loss associated with Takayasu's disease. Also known as "pulseless disease" and "aortic arch syndrome," Takayasu's disease involves narrowing of the aortic arch and its branches. Although the etiology is unknown, it is suspected to be an autoimmune disorder. In the case presented, steroid therapy resulted in an improvement of hearing. On one relapse the hearing loss worsened before the sedimentation rate increased. We speculate that the hearing loss is due to an autoimmune process or an ischemia involving the inner ear. We further speculate that hearing loss may indicate subsequent worsening of the disease.