Sudden sensorineural hearing loss after heroin injection.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a symptom of cochlear injury. Potential aetiologies are vascular diseases, viral infections, allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders, and traumatic rupture of the intralabyrinthe membrane. Unlike in unilateral cases bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is often associated with specific disease entities. We report a case of sudden bilateral deafness after intravenous heroin abuse. The putative pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed.
Schrock
Andreas
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, Bonn, Germany. andreasschroeck@web.de
Jakob
Mark
M
Wirz
Stefan
S
Bootz
Friedrich
F
D000328:Adult; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000139:chemically induced; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000139:chemically induced; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous