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Inner ear degeneration in Reye's syndrome
Archives of Otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|November 1, 1977
Summary
Reye's syndrome can cause severe inner ear damage, including nerve degeneration and hemorrhage, potentially leading to hearing loss. This case highlights the critical impact of Reye's syndrome on auditory structures.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can affect the brain and liver.
- Inner ear involvement in Reye's syndrome is not well-documented.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old girl with Reye's syndrome presented with absent verbal response but present response to painful stimuli.
- Coma developed and persisted for ten days until death.
- Funduscopic examination revealed vascular congestion and hemorrhages in the optic nerves.
Findings:
- Advanced degeneration was observed in the endolymphatic system, sparing the tectorial membrane and cupulae.
- One ear showed vascular congestion, thrombi, and hemorrhage in the modiolus and spiral ganglion.
- The other ear exhibited obstructed vessels in the internal meatus due to swelling.
- Degenerative changes mimicked those seen in experimental inner ear circulatory interruption.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between Reye's syndrome and severe inner ear pathology.
- The observed changes may contribute to neurological deficits and potentially hearing loss in affected individuals.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms of inner ear damage in Reye's syndrome.