title: Sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as an unusual consequence of accidental ingestion of potassium hydroxide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the possible etiopathogenetic mechanism of inner ear damage induced by the ingestion of potassium hydroxide (KOH).
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 37-year-old patient with sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after accidental ingestion of a KOH solution. The first ear, nose and throat examination disclosed only mild edema of the upper airways. He was treated in the intensive care unit and prescribed high-dose steroids, proton pump inhibitors and sucralfate for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, there was no recovery of the hearing loss, and no audiogram changes were noticed after 12 months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After exploring the possible etiopathogenetic mechanism involved, the authors believe that in this case, a transient severe hemodynamic imbalance can actually be considered to be the most reliable explanation for the inner ear damage and subsequent onset of permanent bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Audiology, University Hospital of Ferrara, IT-44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciorba
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bovo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castiglione
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pirodda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D013392:Sucralfate; C029943:potassium hydroxide