Unilateral sudden hearing loss due to otosyphilis.
The differential diagnosis of sudden hearing loss is very extensive. However, in most patients, no underlying pathology will be found and the patient is consequently diagnosed with idiopathic sudden hearing loss. Nevertheless, it is important that one stays alert in everyday routine practice to less common but potentially treatable pathology. We report a case of a 53-year old patient with sudden unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus caused by otosyphilis. Diagnosis, therapy and the incidence of (oto)syphilis are discussed. Also, as ENT-surgeons, it is important to realise that syphilis is still with us, and that its prevalence might well increase in the near future.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam;
Maaike J
MJ
de Goffau
Department of Neurology, Admiral de Ruyter Hospital, Goes;
Jan C
JC
Doelman
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Facial Plastics, Admiral de Ruyter Hospital, Goes, The Netherlands.
Jeroen B
JB
van Rijswijk
neurosyphilis; otosyphilis; sensorineural hearing loss.; syphilis