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Case Reports: Unusual association of diseases/symptoms
Rare case of sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss in a patient diagnosed with sarcoidosis
  1. Jeremy Wong1,
  2. Laura Leach2,
  3. Michael Chen-Xu3 and
  4. Lucy Truman1
  1. 1Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust, Bury Saint Edmunds, UK
  2. 2Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough, UK
  3. 3Department of Rheumatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jeremy Wong; jjcyw2{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

We report the case of a woman in her 30s who was referred to the ear, nose and throat department with sudden onset left-sided sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), left anterior uveitis and erythematous lower limb lesions with bilateral pitting oedema. Based on her symptoms, an underlying inflammatory systemic disease was suspected. Autoantibodies were negative but an X-ray and high-resolution CT scan of the chest were suggestive of sarcoidosis, which was confirmed on endoscopic bronchial biopsy. Following treatment with a course of oral steroids, the patient’s hearing has improved but she still suffers from episodes of uveitis. While immune-mediated inner ear disorders are a recognised cause of SNHL, sarcoidosis is a very rare cause. This case demonstrates the importance of screening for systemic autoimmune aetiology in SNHL and highlights the importance of an effective multidisciplinary team in the diagnosis and management of these patients.

  • Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology
  • Cranial nerves
  • Rheumatology

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2022-248969

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors JW and LL conceived the case report. JW researched, designed and wrote the manuscript for the case report with LL, MC-X and LT supervising and providing guidance. MC-X further contributed by writing the rheumatology perspective on the case.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.