1. Deterioration of hearing in a cochlear implantee with relapsing polychondritis.
- Author
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Patrizia M, Giuseppe A, Marika V, and Roberto F
- Subjects
- Adult, Antibodies, Monoclonal therapeutic use, Auditory Threshold drug effects, Cochlear Diseases diagnosis, Cochlear Diseases drug therapy, Cyclophosphamide therapeutic use, Electrodes, Implanted, Female, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents therapeutic use, Infliximab, Ossification, Heterotopic diagnosis, Ossification, Heterotopic drug therapy, Polychondritis, Relapsing diagnosis, Polychondritis, Relapsing drug therapy, Postoperative Complications diagnosis, Postoperative Complications drug therapy, Prosthesis Design, Recurrence, Speech Reception Threshold Test, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Cochlear Diseases etiology, Cochlear Implantation, Deafness etiology, Deafness rehabilitation, Ossification, Heterotopic etiology, Polychondritis, Relapsing etiology, Postoperative Complications etiology
- Abstract
We report on a rare case of cochlear implantation in a patient affected by relapsing polychondritis (RP), which over time induced cochlear fibrosis/ossification and deterioration of previously excellent hearing performance. The clinical course was determined by CT scan, electrophysiology, and speech perception data. We conclude that RP is a severe autoimmune connective disorder that can cause profound sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear implantation in these patients can provide excellent performance. Continuation of therapy may improve prognosis, but relapses involving inner ear structures can determine fibrosis/ossification of the modiolus and interfere with cochlear implant use.
- Published
- 2011
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