Cochlear Implantation as a Treatment for Sudden Autoimmune Sensorineural Hearing Loss in a Patient Affected by Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Case Report and A Review of Literature

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Jan;130(1):112-115. doi: 10.1177/0003489420938827. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Abstract

Objective: To report presentation, diagnostic process, management and outcome of a case of autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) related with Churg-Strauss syndrome, also known as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), treated with cochlear implantation, and review of relevant literature.

Case presentation and management: A retrospective case report of AIED associated with EGPA treated with cochlear implantation was described. A multi-step approach for diagnosis and confirmation of AIED and hearing rehabilitation was conducted, eventually leading to left cochlear implantation.

Results: The surgery was without complications and postoperative course was uneventful. Two years after surgery, pure-tone and speech soundfield audiometry with left cochlear implant switched on showed a good improvement in pure-tone threshold and a word recognition score of 50% at 60 dB nHL. Literature review does not report any previous case of AIED EGPA-related.

Conclusions: Cochlear implantation in AIED EGPA-related have been shown to be a viable treatment option in a stabilized phase of disease.

Keywords: Churg-Strauss syndrome; audiology; autoimmune hearing loss; cochlear implantation; sudden hearing loss.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / complications*
  • Cochlear Implantation*
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / surgery
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / surgery
  • Humans