[Cogan I syndrome: too often detected too late? A contribution to early diagnosis of Cogan I syndrome].
BACKGROUND
Cogan's syndrome is an uncommon disease characterized by ocular inflammation, vestibuloauditory dysfunction and symptoms of systemic disease. The etiology is unknown, however there is evidence for an autoimmune pathogenesis. The "typical" Cogan's syndrome presents as bilateral interstitial keratitis and progressing vestibuloauditory dysfunction. The presence of other inflammatory manifestations in addition of keratitis has been termed as "atypical" Cogan's syndrome.


METHODS
We report on six patients presenting with typical as well as atypical ocular manifestations between 1982 and 1994. Typically, the illness was accompanied by systemic symptoms. Each patient had audiovestibular involvement, that was the initial presentation in 4 cases. Vestibular dysfunction often preceded hearing loss. Five of our patients not only presented with keratitis but also demonstrated signs of ocular inflammation diagnosed as scleritis or episcleritis. In two patients these ocular symptoms were the first signs of Cogan's syndrome, recurred periodically and did not respond to corticosteroids.


RESULTS
In 3 patients that were diagnosed early and treatment with corticosteroids was initiated early, hearing could be stabilized, in the remaining patients total bilateral deafness could not be prevented.


CONCLUSIONS
The importance of being aware that vestibuloauditory dysfunction may occur in patients with ocular inflammation, and the fact that early immunotherapy may prevent the risk of deafness, has to be emphasized.
Pleyer
U
U
Augenklinik des Universitätsklinikums Charité, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Baykal
H E
HE
Rohrbach
J M
JM
Bohndorf
M
M
Rieck
P
P
Reimann
J
J
Kuhnt
P
P
Saal
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015423:Scleritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013577:Syndrome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Cogan-I-Syndrom: Zu oft zu spät erkannt? Ein Beitrag zur Frühdiagnose des Cogan-I-Syndroms.