Sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as an unusual consequence of accidental ingestion of potassium hydroxide.
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.
Ciorba
A
A
Department of Audiology, University Hospital of Ferrara, IT-44100 Ferrara, Italy.
Bovo
R
R
Castiglione
A
A
Pirodda
A
A
Martini
A
A
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
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D013392:Sucralfate; C029943:potassium hydroxide