[Vertigo and ocular inflammation: Cogan syndrome]

Cogan syndrome is a rare inflammatory condition that mainly affects adults and is characterised by inflammation of various ocular structures and by audiovestibular symptoms such as hearing loss and vertigo.

A 63-year old woman recently diagnosed with an anterior uveitis presented at A&E with vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus and headache, and she developed bilateral sudden deafness within days. Blood testing revealed elevated inflammatory parameters, without signs of infection. Additional laboratory and imaging tests showed no abnormalities. We finally diagnosed her with Cogan syndrome. Our patient started oral prednisolon and methotrexate and she gradually improved.

Cogan syndrome is a rare inflammatory condition that warrants a multidisciplinary approach by an ophthalmologist, neurologist, ENT-physician, and rheumatologist / immunologist for swift diagnosis and treatment with immunosuppressive medication. A timely recognition of the syndrome at first presentation and with new flares improves the chances of full or partial recovery.