Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease: Immune Biomarkers, Audiovestibular Aspects, and Therapeutic Modalities of Cogan's Syndrome

J Immunol Res. 2018 Apr 23:2018:1498640. doi: 10.1155/2018/1498640. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Cogan's syndrome (CS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by audiovestibular dysfunction and ocular inflammation. Currently, there is no specific serum autoantibody used in the diagnostic workup of CS. Treatment is based on immunosuppressive agents, mainly corticosteroids as first-line choice. Recently, novel therapeutic modalities in CS have emerged. These include tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors and other biologicals. Despite medical treatment, hearing loss may progress to irreversible bilateral profound SNHL in approximately half of CS patients resulting in candidacy for cochlear implantation (CI). Due to the inflammatory nature of the disease that is causing endosteal reaction with partial obliteration or complete neoossification of the intracochlear ducts, early CI is recommended. CI provides excellent and stable hearing rehabilitation with high score of word and sentence recognition. In this review, we will discuss different aspects of CS including clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and future directives.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cochlear Implantation*
  • Cogan Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Cogan Syndrome / therapy*
  • Ear, Inner / physiology*
  • Hearing Loss
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Labyrinth Diseases / diagnosis
  • Labyrinth Diseases / therapy*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / physiology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biological Products
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha