Computed tomography features of luetic osteitis (otosyphilis) of the temporal bone.
OBJECTIVE
We report a missed case of otosyphilis presenting as otic capsule lucencies on temporal bone computed tomography.


METHODS
A 58-year-old woman presented with a 15-year history of bilateral, mixed hearing loss together with otic capsule lucencies, subsequently confirmed as otosyphilis. A literature review of otosyphilis was undertaken based on a PubMed search of studies published between 1988 and 2012, using the key words 'otosyphilis', 'otodystrophy', 'otic capsule lucencies' and 'luetic osteitis'.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, otosyphilis is important to recognise as it is one of the few treatable causes of deafness when diagnosed early. The differentiating computed tomography features of luetic osteitis (otosyphilis) of the temporal bone have only rarely been described. We emphasise how these imaging features can be used to distinguish the rare but treatable condition of luetic osteitis from other, more common conditions with similar imaging findings.
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK.
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A
Ogungbemi
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK.
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C
Dudau
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK.
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Morley
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK.
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Beale
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010000:Osteitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed