Otosyphilis and hearing loss: response to penicillin and steroid therapy.
Acquired and congenital syphilis are both known causes of potentially reversible sensorineural hearing loss. Various therapeutic regimens, including penicillin and/or corticosteroids have been used in the past as treatment for otosyphilis. Response rates have varied from 15% to 80%. In this retrospective study, 13 patients with otosyphilis were treated with a combined course of long-term penicillin and prednisone. A significant response was defined as a 15% improvement in the discrimination score and/or the pure tone average. Initial response rates were 35% with a lasting response rate of 15%. Discrimination scores improved more commonly than pure tone averages. No patient with congenital syphilis or profound deafness had a lasting response. An analysis of possible reasons for failure of therapy is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D010400:Penicillin G; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine; D011241:Prednisone