[Hearing and equilibrium disorders in patients with neurosyphilis]

83 patients with neurosyphilis and 12 patients with latent syphilis underwent a cochleovestibular examination. Pathological changes were present in 54% of the patients with neurosyphilis. In the group of patients with latent syphilis functional changes could only be found in 25% of the patients. The greatest number of hearing disturbances occurred in persons suffering from general paresis, 65% were affected. Usually damage occurred in both ears. Specific topical diagnosis was often not possible although the results of the stapedial reflex indicated that peripheral cochlear lesions were present. In particular damage in the level of the high frequencies seemed to be prevalent. Disturbances of the vestibular system occurred in 25% of neurosyphilis patients. Most frequently lesions occurred in patients with cerebrospinal syphilis (40%). The comparison of subjective and objective symptoms of the vestibular system were very similar in most groups. As for the results presented it is suggested that a serological treponemal test should be undertaken in patients with non-specific disturbances of the vestibulo-cochlear system.