Sensorineural hearing loss and ulcerative colitis

Oculomotor nerve palsy as an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may present with extraintestinal manifestations. Neurological symptoms associated with IBD are infrequent. Thus, any unexplained neurological symptom that occurs in patients with IBD should raise the suspicion of a link between the two disorders. We report a case of a man in his 60s, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and developed ptosis and diplopia. Neurological examination revealed oculomotor nerve palsy, sparing the pupil. MRI and magnetic resonance angiography of the brain were insignificant and no other cause was determined. He was treated with oral corticosteroids and symptoms gradually subsided. Cranial nerve palsies associated with IBD have been rarely reported. They usually involve the optic and acoustic nerve and are attributed to a common dysimmune base. This is the first reported case of oculomotor nerve palsy (III cranial nerve) associated with IBD. Clinicians treating patients with IBD should be alert for unusual neurological complications and treat them appropriately.

Sensorineural hearing loss and ulcerative colitis in remission

INTRODUCTION

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been reported in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, SNHL as an extraintestinal manifestation of IBD is frequently underreported. In the present study, we compared the prevalence and severity of SNHL among patients with IBD-ulcerative colitis (IBD-UC) in remission with controls to find out any association between SNHL and IBD-UC in remission compared to controls.

METHODS

This single-center hospital-based prospective observational study included outdoor patients with IBD-UC in remission and healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Eligible patients and healthy participants were subjected to a battery of audiological tests (otoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry [PTN]) after thorough systemic and ear, nose and throat (ENT) examination.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study: 50 in IBD-UC in the remission group and 50 in the control group. None of the demographic variables (age, gender, residence and habits) were significantly different between the two groups. Otoscopy and tympanometry were normal in all patients and controls. The difference between the two groups in respect to frequency and severity of SNHL on PTA and in respect to unilateral and bilateral distribution of the hearing loss was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

There is no statistically significant difference in frequency and severity of SNHL between patients with ulcerative colitis in remission and healthy age- and sex-matched controls.

Assessment of Hearing Function in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic pathology that affects many organ systems, appears after dysregulated immune response in genetically predisposed patients. Inner organ involvement has been shown in various autoimmune diseases because of its immunosensitivity. In this study, we aimed at showing sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as a result of possible subclinical inflammation in patients with IBD during the remission period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 32 children with IBD and 31 healthy volunteers with comparable sex and age. Detailed ear-nose-throat examination was conducted for all, and patients were excluded if they had a history of ear infectionor trauma. Thereafter, the results of pure tone audiometry (PTA), high-frequency audiometry, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

There were no differences in terms of age, sex, and PTA values between controls and children with IBD. No statistical differences were found between responses at 250; 500; 2,000; 4,000; DP1000; DP1400; DP2000; DP2800;and DP4000 Hz as well as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 1,000 Hz when the controls and children with IBD (p>0.05 for all) were compared. However, the mean responses at 1,000; 8,000; 10,000; 12,500; 16,000; SNR1400; SNR2000; SNR2800; and SNR4000Hz of the children with IBD were significantly higher than those of the controls (p<0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

Initial SNHL appears at high frequencies in pediatric patients with IBD.

Ear Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review of the Literature

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multisystemic disease. The ear is a rare but recognized site of extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. In external ear, the more common manifestations of IBD are pyoderma gangrenosum, metastatic Crohn’s disease and relapsing polychondritis and the treatment includes corticosteroids and anti-TNF agents. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common ear disease in IBD and especially in patients with ulcerative colitis. In most cases of IBD patients with SNHL, the hearing loss is attributable to autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). Diagnosis of AIED is based on clinical presentation, the demonstration of a progressive sensorineural hearing loss in periodic audiological tests, a response to immunosuppressive drugs and exclusion of other causes of SNHL. The only diagnostic test that is available for clinical use is the Otoblot test (Western blot for antibodies against 68 kD protein-inner ear antigens). Initial therapy is usually steroids, with a step up to anti-TNF-a therapy and cochlear implantations with failure of treatment. Furthermore, Cogan’s syndrome, a chronic disease characterized by deafness, vertigo keratitis and aortitis, has been associated with IBD and mainly with Crohn’s disease.

The effect of thyroid autoantibody positivity on the functions of internal ear

The objective of the study is to investigate if any significant difference exists in hearing thresholds and tympanometric examination results among patients whose thyroid antibody positivity was detected approximately 1 year or at least 5 years ago. Study population aged less than 40 years consisted of 17 patients who had thyroid antibody positivities for an average of 1 year (first group), 15 patients who were followed up for at least 5 years for thyroid antibody positivity (second group), and 18 volunteers (third group). Tympanometric examination results, stapes reflex, SRT, SD, and pure tone values were examined. When the second group and the third group were compared, significant results were obtained at hearing frequencies between 500 and 4000 Hz. When the first group and the third group were compared, only at 1000 Hz threshold significant results were obtained. During evaluation of hearing frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz, significant results were not observed between the second group and the first group. When the first and the second groups were compared with the control group, significant results were obtained as for tympanometric examination findings and significant results were not observed between the second group and the first group. A significant difference was not detected as for the results of stapes reflex. Since thyroid antibody positivity affects the functions of internal ear, these patients should be more closely monitored. Since these effects become deeper in line with increased exposure to autoantibody positivity, variations in auditory responses should be more attentively monitored.

Neurological Complications of Gastrointestinal Disease

There is a growing interest in the extraintestinal manifestations of common pediatric gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. This article specifically focuses on the neurological symptoms that manifest because of these disorders and their treatments. Many neurological symptoms have been reported in association with these diseases, including neuropathy, myopathy, ataxia, headache, and seizures, among others. It is currently believed that these neurological symptoms are largely overlooked by practitioners and could be a red flag for earlier diagnosis. However, additional research, especially in the pediatric population, is warranted to further elaborate on the causality and pathophysiology of these neurological symptoms.

Hearing Loss in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has many characteristics of autoimmune diseases. Sensorineural hearing loss has been reported in many autoimmune diseases. Little is known about hearing loss in patients with IBD.

METHODS

A prospective blinded comparative study was conducted over a 3-year period. IBD patients and controls underwent a complete otorhinolaryngeal examination and eudiometry test.

RESULTS

Altogether 105 participants (76 patients and 29 controls) took part in this study. Mean age was 36, 51 % were males, and 40 % of the patients were presently hospitalized due to IBD exacerbation. Audiometric examination revealed that any hearing loss (mild to severe) was found in 29 (38 %) of the IBD population, compared to 4 (14 %) of the control group (p = 0.02). Extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) was present in 33/76 (43 %) of IBD patients. Any hearing loss and moderate to severe hearing loss were found in 17/33 (52 %) and 7/33 (21 %) in the EIM-positive group compared to 12/43 (28 %) and 4/43 (9 %) in the EIM-negative group (p = 0.036 and p = 0.14, respectively). Out of patients over the age of 40 with other EIMs, all 11/11 (100 %) of patients had any hearing loss compared to 8/12 (66 %) of patients over the age of 40 without other EIMs, p = 0.035.

CONCLUSIONS

Hearing loss may be another EIM of IBD. It is found in 38 % of IBD patients and in up to 52 % of patients with other EIMs and increases over the age of 40. Early hearing evaluation should be recommended to these high-risk IBD patients.

Functions of the inner ear in psoriatic arthritis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate whether there is a negative impact as a result of psoriatic arthritis disease of the inner ear function.

METHODS

Twenty-four successive patients and 38 healthy volunteers, younger than 60 years of age, who were followed up for at least for one year in the outpatient clinics of physical therapy and rehabilitation with the diagnosis of PsA according to CASPAR criteria (17) and who did not complain of any hearing impairment were included in the study. Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) values between 1kHz and 4kHz, tympanometric examination results, stapes reflex values, speech reception threshold (SRT) and speech discrimination (SD) values, pure-tone values between 250 and 8000Hz and high-frequency values between 10,000, 12,500 and 16,000Hz were analyzed. Statistical comparisons between both groups were performed using chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. p<0.05 was accepted as the level of statistical significance.

RESULTS

Our study population consisted of 24 [9 male (37.5%) and 15 female (62.5%)] patients with a mean age of 47.21±11.28 (range, 28-59) years and 38 [16 male (42.1%) and 22 female (57.9%)] healthy volunteers with a mean age of 44.39±8.12 (range, 29-59) years as the control group. Mean duration of arthritis was 7.62±4.88 years. In the evaluation of hearing frequencies of the patients between 4000 and 6000Hz, a statistically significant difference was found relative to the control group (p<005). DPOAE values of the patients were analyzed within the 1000-4000Hz interval. When compared with the control group, a statistically significant difference was found at 3000 and 4000Hz (p<005).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides strong evidence suggesting the necessity of monitorization of these patients regarding sensorineural hearing loss so as to take measures against the development of hearing loss during early stage, which may be another disability in patients with PsA, which is itself a potential cause of severe disability.

Cochlear involvement in patients with ulcerative colitis

Objective:

To investigate whether cochlear involvement is an extraintestinal manifestation in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Method:

Forty-four ulcerative colitis patients and 44 age-matched healthy subjects were included in the study. Pure tone and speech audiometry, and distortion product otoacoustic emission tests were performed on all participants. The audiometric test results were compared between groups and their relationship with disease activity was investigated.

Results:

Pure tone threshold averages were significantly higher in ulcerative colitis patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Speech discrimination scores were significantly lower in ulcerative colitis patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude values were significantly lower for all of the tested frequencies (except for 6000 Hz in the right ear) in ulcerative colitis patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). No relationship was detected between audiometric test results and disease activity (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Even though hearing thresholds may be within normal limits, decreased distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude values indicate a cochlear involvement in ulcerative colitis patients.

Evaluation of Hearing and Outer Hair Cell Function of Cochlea in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate hearing and outer cells function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Our investigation was a prospective case control study.

Methods

A total of 31 psoriatic arthritis patients (62 ears) and 31 healthy control subjects (62 ears) were enrolled in the study. We investigated hearing changes of patients and controls via pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination scores, tympanometry, acoustic reflex, and transient product otoacoustic emission.

Results

The mean age of psoriatic arthritis patients was 36.1±8.5 years (range, 14 to 62 years). The average age of the control group was 37.9±8.1 years (range, 16 to 62 years). There were statistically significant differences between pure tone audiometry in all frequencies and right and left emission at the 4.0 and 1.0 in psoriatic arthritis patients versus controls (P<0.05). This difference was evident, especially at high frequencies. There was no statistically significant difference between the ages and genders of the patient and control groups (P>0.05). Both audiological and otoacoustic emissions were not significantly different between right and left ear (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the audiological and otoacoustic findings; it is likely that the cochlear outer hair cells become subtly damaged in psoriatic arthritis patients, consequently leading to changes in hearing thresholds. These data suggest that it is important to screen psoriatic arthritis patients for hearing changes with otoacoustic emissions and audiologic tests regularly.

Function of the audiovestibular system in children with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect inner ear by disrupting either the hearing or balance system. Affection of hearing can be anatomically categorized into conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, while affection of the equilibrium system manifests either as an isolated manifestation like vertigo or as a part of a spectrum like Meniere's disease. Most cases show asymptomatic affection requiring an objective audiovestibular assessment. More focus should be given to routine evaluation especially with disease flares and for proper treatment. In pediatric patients, more concern should be given owing to the added effect of ototoxicity with several drugs and the educational impact of such comorbidity.

[Bilateral deafness due to labyrinthitis in a patient with Crohn's disease]

Labyrinthitis with vestibulocochlear dysfunction in chronic inflammatory bowl disease is a rare but well described manifestation or complication. The diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities and limitations of this inflammatory otopathy are presented and discussed in the context of a case report. A bilateral loss of vestibular function and sensorineural hearing loss occurred in a 26-year-old male patient with previously diagnosed Crohn's disease. He was treated with immune suppressive therapy during the onset and development of cochleovestibular symptoms. Diagnostic tests included pure tone audiograms, speech audiometry, caloric tests, VEMPs, and MRI. Therapy included azathioprine, corticosteroids (systemic and intratympanic), monoclonal antibodies, and cochlear implants. Despite immunosuppressive therapy including monoclonal antibodies, the patient progressively lost his hearing. Finally, bilateral cochlear implantation was carried out with good results. The treatment of patients with systemic inflammatory or autoimmune disease affecting the cochlear-vestibular organ is challenging. An interdisciplinary approach is needed. In cases of bilateral deafness, cochlear implantation is a satisfactory treatment and should not be delayed unnecessarily.

Neurologic manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases: current knowledge and novel insights

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), widely known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are thought to result from an inappropriate activation of the mucosal immune system driven by intestinal bacterial flora.

METHODS

Although the extraintestinal manifestations of IBD are well documented, the association of IBD with neurologic and neuromuscular involvement is rare and often controversial, with sporadic and conflicting data on its prevalence and spectrum. In addition, a serious number of the latter manifestations may become life-threatening, playing a very important role in disease morbidity. To define the pattern of neurologic involvement in IBD, the most important manifestations in these patients have been reviewed, exploring also their clinical significance.

RESULTS

There is evidence that UC and CD can manifest both in the PNS and CNS. Thrombotic complications are common in IBD patients, but cerebral vascular involvement is rare.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurologic manifestations in IBD patients are more common than previously estimated and may follow a different pattern of involvement in CD and UC. Small numbers of patients currently preclude a better characterization of the clinical spectrum and a better understanding of pathogenesis.

Neurologic presentations of gastrointestinal disease

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the presence of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in the setting of neurologic diseases. Parkinson's disease is a particularly well-known example, but GI dysfunction also may occur in multiple sclerosis, stroke, and in various myopathic and peripheral neuropathic processes. There is much less awareness, however, that primary GI diseases may also display neurologic dysfunction as part of their clinical picture. This article focuses on some of those disease processes. Illnesses primarily targeting the GI tract are addressed and examples of primary esophageal, gastric, and intestinal disease processes are described.

Sensorineural hearing loss in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

Sensorineural hearing loss as an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease has been reported in several studies, including adult patients. The aim of this study is to determine the presence of subclinical sensorineural hearing loss associated with inflammatory bowel disease in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Otoscopy, tympanometry, and pure tone audiometry were performed in 24 patients with disease and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls.

RESULTS

Pure tone audiometry did not show significant sensorineural hearing loss over all frequencies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease compared with controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical sensorineural hearing loss was demonstrated in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease; therefore we recommend performing audiometric examinations in pediatric patients to recognize hearing loss early during the course of the disease.

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to discuss the association between sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

We reviewed cases of patients with known IBD seen in an otolaryngology practice with documentation of all otologic data including age of onset, family history of otologic problems, exposure to noise, audiometric findings, and so on.

RESULTS

Of 38 patients with a history of IBD, 22 had documented SNHL. Nineteen of these had no other identifiable etiology for their inner ear dysfunction. Fourteen of these patients had a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and 5 had Crohn disease. Sixteen patients had bilateral SNHL, and 3 patients had unilateral SNHL. Only one patient had a lasting response of SNHL to medical treatment.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests that SNHL is an extraintestinal association of IBD. As IBD is considered to be a local or systemic immunopathy, the associated SNHL might also be an expression of systemic immune dysfunction.

Inner-ear obliteration in ulcerative colitis patients with sensorineural hearing loss

Objective:

Systemic autoimmune diseases, including ulcerative colitis, may involve the inner ear. Several ulcerative colitis cases presenting with sensorineural hearing loss have been reported. We report the T2-weighted, three-dimensional, inner-ear magnetic resonance imaging findings in the inner ears of two such patients.

Methods:

Case reports and a review of the literature concerning autoimmune disease and sensorineural hearing loss are presented.

Results:

We describe two cases of ulcerative colitis with sensorineural hearing loss in which three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging revealed obliteration of the inner ear. Those inner ears with obliteration had severe hearing loss, and responded poorly to steroid therapy.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, there has been no previous published report of the T2-weighted, inner-ear magnetic resonance imaging findings of cases of ulcerative colitis with sensorineural hearing loss. This paper represents the first published report in the world literature of inner-ear obliteration in such patients. Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging is beneficial in elucidating the pathophysiology of the inner-ear involvement seen in ulcerative colitis.

Asymptomatic Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Hearing loss can accompany systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL) in patients with SLE.

METHODS

Thirty-one unselected consecutive female patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria, 1982) were evaluated (in a prospective and descriptive study) for evidence of hearing abnormalities. Twenty-five healthy age-matched women served as controls. All patients and control groups underwent both a normal tympanoscopy and an audiometric testing as a prerequisite to be included in the study.

RESULTS

Patients with SLE had a mean age of 35 years (range, 19-64 years) and the follow-up time (median) was 48 months (range, 4-180 months). One of 31 patients was excluded because of middle ear infectious disease. Of the remaining 30 patients, 21 (70%) had impaired hearing; 20 (66%) had sensorineural loss at high frequencies in a bilateral and symmetric way, and one had conductive alteration. Ten patients had normal audiometric studies. Four women in the control group had alterations of the audiometric tests: 3 patients had conductive alteration and the other one had bilateral ASNHL. No statistically significant correlation was found among the presence of ASNHL, the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies, and the treatment with hydroxychloroquine. Also, no correlation was observed between impaired hearing and SLE activity.

CONCLUSION

If it can be established how often this ASNHL progresses to a clinical problem, it can be important that, as part of initial studies, patients with SLE undergo audiometric tests.

Bone marrow transplantation as a strategy for the treatment of autoimmune hearing loss in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been reported to develop as a main part of or in combination with systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. The aim of the current study is to treat autoimmune SNHL in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice, a murine model of systemic autoimmune disease, using allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), which replaces recipient bone marrow cells with bone marrow cells from a non-autoimmune-prone donor. The results indicate that BMT can be used to treat SNHL; cochlear pathology, serum autoantibodies and lupus nephritis are ameliorated. Therefore, it is conceivable that the autoimmune SNHL in the MRL/lpr mice results not from defects in the cochlea, including the stria vascularis, but from defects in the bone marrow, and BMT would therefore provide a curative effect on inner ear autoimmune dysfunction associated with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a subclinical extraintestinal manifestation

Isolated case reports in which symptomatic hearing loss develops suddenly during the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported, but the presence of subclinical sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) associated with IBD has been investigated in only two preliminary studies. In order to research this further, we aimed to investigate the presence of subclinical SNHL in IBD by comparison with a control group and to examine possible relations between the bowel disease parameters and hearing loss.Otoscopy, tympanometry, and pure tone audiometry were carried out in 39 patients with IBD (21 Crohn's disease [CD], 18 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 25 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. All patients and control subjects had normal otoscopy findings and tympanometry was unremarkable, excluding middle ear disease and conductive hearing loss. Analysis of each frequency examined showed that the average hearing thresholds were increased significantly in the study group compared to those of the control group at higher frequencies (2, 4, and 8 kHz). When these parameters were compared with the control group according to subgroups of IBD, a significant difference was determined for the UC group at frequencies of 2, 4, and 8 kHz and for the CD group only at the frequency of 4 kHz. Although there was a trend of increment in SNHL as the age of the patient and duration and extent of UC increased, no significant correlation was observed between SNHL and these parameters or sex, activity, involvement site, medication history of IBD, and coexistence of other extraintestinal manifestations. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that a subclinical SNHL may be associated with UC and somewhat with CD, affecting mainly the high frequencies. In light of this finding, it may be advisable to investigate labyrinth functions as well as other extraintestinal manifestations in patients with IBD.

Hipoacusia asociada a colitis ulcerosa

OBJECTIVE

To value the eventual immunomediation in sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) on patients bearing of ulcerative colitis (UC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a group of forty-nine cases with a mean age of 41.6+/-9.3 years old we studied the hearing loss level, the disease activity index, the peripheral blood inflammation markers and the anticochlear antibodies by mean of Western-blot technique (WB).

RESULTS

The 26.5% knew about their deafness, although SHL was detected in 59.1% of cases. The mean age of onset was 40.3+/-9.8 years. 48.9% showed a positive WB, always in 68-70 kDa molecular weight blots. Moreover, patients with positive WB showed more severe deafness, higher disease activity and more altered parameters, especially erythrosedimentation rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Audiologic and peripheral blood findings observed allow us to establish a reasonable suspicion of an autoimmune or immunomediated pathway of hearing loss on UC.

Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss: Clinical course and treatment outcome

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss (ASHL) originally was defined both by the presence of progressive hearing loss (with or without vertigo) and a positive response to glucocorticoid therapy. Subsequently, antibodies to a 68-kd inner-ear antigen were identified in a high percentage of patients with ASHL.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the disease progression and treatment outcome of ASHL.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of 30 patients with a diagnosis of ASHL referred to Texas Tech Rheumatology Clinic. All subjects were tested for anti-68-kd antibody, had audiometric evidence of hearing loss, and were treated with glucocorticoids.

RESULTS

The median duration from onset of symptoms to audiometric testing was 25.5 weeks (mean, 144 weeks; range, 3-1,040 weeks), and to testing for anti-68-kd antibody was 40 weeks (mean, 157.3; range, 4-1,092 weeks). Ninety percent of subjects tested positive for anti-68-kd antibodies. By audiometric testing, 50% of subjects were steroid-responsive; minimal improvement or no change was recorded in 12%, and worsening occurred in 39% after steroid therapy. The 3 subjects who were anti-68-kd antibody-negative were steroid-unresponsive, and 1 progressed to complete deafness.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This series of patients with ASHL suggests a more variable and benign course with a better prognosis than previously reported. Immunosuppressive therapy other than steroids rarely was required, and rapid progression to complete hearing loss was very uncommon in this cohort.

Ulcerative colitis presenting as sensorineural deafness, brainstem encephalopathy, and white matter lesions

BACKGROUND

Several rare neurologic complications of ulcerative colitis have been reported.

REVIEW SUMMARY

We report a 69-year-old Japanese woman who developed bilateral sensorineural deafness, 2 attacks of bilateral ophthalmoplegia, and bilateral facial nerve palsy in association with ulcerative colitis. Laboratory data showed elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein without pleocytosis, abnormal auditory brainstem evoked potentials, and multiple high signal lesions on magnetic resonance imaging of the brainstem and cerebral deep white matter. Her symptoms improved with corticosteroid therapy except for sensorineural deafness and an exacerbation of cerebral deep white matter lesions without any new clinical signs.

CONCLUSION

Immunologic mechanisms may have led to her central and peripheral nervous system findings in addition to her colon disorder.

Electrocochleographic findings in cases of autoimmune disease with sensorineural deafness

OBJECTIVES

To present electrocochleographic findings in patients with autoimmune disease (AD) with sensorineural deafness (ADSD), and to discuss the etiologies of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in cases of ADSD.

METHODS

Study design is a retrospective review of electrocochleographic results of 26 patients with ADSD. To evaluate the electrocochleographic results, average SP/AP ratios were compared between ADSD and normal subjects. In the ADSD group, audiologic pattern, fluctuations in hearing and results of the glycerol test were also reviewed. Electrocochleography (ECoG) was recorded using the extratympanic method, and the SP to AP ratio (SP/AP ratio) was analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean of average SP/AP ratios in the ADSD groups (0.46) was significantly higher than that in normal subjects (0.27). Further, 17 of 29 affected ears in patients with ADSD showed fluctuating hearing loss. Eighteen ears showed low tone loss (rising and peak audiologic patterns). Only 5 of 26 ears (19.2%) showed positive results on glycerol test. There was no correlation between glycerol test results and hearing fluctuation or between glycerol test results and the SP/AP ratio on chi(2)-test. There was no tendency between audiologic pattern and glycerol test results or between audiologic pattern and the SP/AP ratio.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the etiologies of SNHL in cases of ADSD remain unclear. However, some cases showed clinical findings similar to endolymphatic hydrops. We should bear in mind that clinical Meniere's syndrome involves ADSD. Further investigation is needed to resolve the etiology of SNHL of ADSD.

Prevention of autoimmune hearing loss in MRL/lpr mice by bone marrow transplantation

We examined the effects of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) on immune-mediated inner ear diseases in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice, which manifest not only lupus nephritis but also sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at the age of 20 weeks. These mice were treated with cyclophosphamide (CY) and irradiation (5 Gy x 2), followed by the transplantation of bones plus bone marrow cells from allogeneic normal C57BL/6 mice at the age of 12 weeks. Hematolymphoid cells were reconstituted with donor-derived cells 3 months after BMT. Thus-treated MRL/lpr mice showed neither lupus nephritis nor SNHL even 24 weeks after BMT. No pathological findings were observed in either glomeruli or cochleae. These findings suggest that BMT can be used to prevent the development of autoimmune SNHL in MRL/lpr mice.

Sensorineural hearing loss in ulcerative colitis

Sensorineural hearing loss has been described in a small number of patients with ulcerative colitis. At present, it is not known whether this is a rare and sporadic association, or whether these reports represent an under recognised extra-intestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in patients with ulcerative colitis. Twenty patients with active ulcerative colitis (mean age 45 years) were recruited prospectively along with 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Otoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry were performed. The activity of the disease was scored according to a 12-month cumulative disease activity index. No patients complained of auditory symptoms. Otoscopy and tympanometry were normal in all patients and controls. Pure tone audiometry showed significant sensorineural hearing loss over all frequencies in patients with ulcerative colitis compared with controls. This preliminary study indicates that subclinical sensorineural hearing loss is associated with ulcerative colitis. Further study is warranted to determine the nature of the relationship and its pathological basis.

Autoimmune inner ear disease

The known etiologies of acquired sensorineural hearing loss include acoustic trauma, physical trauma, ototoxicity, genetic predisposition, infections, Meniere's disease, aging, and autoimmune disease. Treatments are directed at eliminating or managing the underlying disease process and aiding hearing with amplification. Rarely is it possible to improve unaided hearing after sensorineural loss except when the severe to profound level of loss is reached and cochlear implantation becomes an option. Autoimmune inner ear disease, however, is a treatable cause of sensorineural hearing loss and it is important for physicians and hearing health professionals to recognize that proper early diagnosis and management strategies may result in stabilization and possibly improvement in hearing.