Otosyphilis
Wanscher, J.H.øj.; Faber, C.E.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 172(28): 2067-2068
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1603-6824 PMID: 20615379 Document Number: 640544
We present a case in which a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) developed a sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus due to inner-ear syphilis affection. The patient had normal otomicroscopy, tympanometry, ear, nose & throat examination, caloric test and intracranial magnetic resonance imagining. Relevant serological blood samples and lumbal puncture indicated syphilis in its secondary stage or the early latent phase. Audiometry demonstrated a considerable improvement and tinnitus decreased after ten days of treatment with antibiotics and prednisone.