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Laboratory diagnosis of immune inner ear disease
G B Hughes1, R Moscicki, B P Barna
1Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
Insights
Immune inner ear disease causes rapid hearing loss. Diagnosis relies on symptoms, immune tests like lymphocyte transformation and Western blot, and steroid response.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Immunology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Immune inner ear disease is an emerging condition causing rapid, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
- Diagnosis is often presumptive, relying on clinical presentation and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the role of immune laboratory testing in diagnosing immune inner ear disease.
- To present the rationale behind commonly used immune assays.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria.
- Discussion of lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) and Western blot immune assay.
- Evaluation of corticosteroid trial response.
Main Results:
- Immune laboratory tests aid in confirming a clinical diagnosis of immune inner ear disease.
- LTT and Western blot are key diagnostic tools.
Conclusions:
- Immune laboratory testing is crucial for confirming immune inner ear disease.
- Specific immune assays support the diagnosis and management of this condition.
Abstract:
Immune inner ear disease is a relatively new and distinct clinical entity that produces unexplained, rapidly progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations, positive immune laboratory testing, and beneficial response to a trial of corticosteroids. Immune laboratory tests are used to confirm a presumptive clinical diagnosis. The two tests most commonly used are the lymphocyte transformation test and Western blot immune assay. The rationale behind these tests is presented, and the role they play in laboratory diagnosis of immune inner ear disease is discussed.
