Symmetric sensorineural progressive hearing loss from chronic idiopathic pachymeningitis

Int J Audiol. 2007 Feb;46(2):107-10. doi: 10.1080/14992020600969744.

Abstract

We present the case of a 68 year-old man with a diffused hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) involving both internal auditory canals. The clinical symptoms were headache, decreased vision in one eye, progressive bilateral and symmetrical sensory-neural hearing loss (PSNHL) responsive to steroid treatment. Although hearing loss is a frequent manifestation of HP, only few studies reported an adequate audiological assessment and follow-up. Mechanisms related to the auditory involvement are discussed on the basis of audiological data. Gadolinium enhanced MRI is the most adequate technique for HP detection and for the differential diagnosis. A delay in the diagnosis of HP seems to be quite common and the consequences may be severe, especially in cases of optic nerve involvement. For these reasons, a cerebral MRI should probably be included in the assessment of PSNHL, especially when neurological signs coexist or are reported in the medical history.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Brain / pathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / physiopathology
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningitis / complications*
  • Meningitis / diagnosis
  • Severity of Illness Index