A Case of Polycythemia Vera Accompaning Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and Dizziness

Abstract

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) which is characterized by proliferation of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. PV is associated with the JAK2 V617F mutation. The presenting symptom of PV is variable. Headache, weakness, fatigue, pruritus, dyspepsia, dizziness, visual disturbances may be seen in PV patients. Severe complications such as stroke, acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolisms are attributed to a red blood cells and platelets causing hyperviscosity and thrombosis. Even though hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness are belong to symptoms of PV, they are very rare initial presentation for patients with PV. We report a 49-year-old man with PV, whose first symptoms of PV were hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness.

Secondary cutaneous and otosyphilis presenting with uncommon skin findings and triggering polycythemia vera

“…1,2 On the other hand, it is known that a suddenonset bilateral tinnitus and uni/bilateral hearing loss can be the first signs of PV because of thrombosis of the feeding labyrinthine artery causing cochlear ischemia. 5 Based on the clinicolaboratory data and the therapeutic responses here collected, we can hypothesize that the treponemal infection in a late secondary syphilis phase could have acted as a trigger for the development of a PV status in a predisposed patient. In particular, the tinnitus symptoms were still present after T. pallidum clearing and resolved only after resolution of platelets' alteration.…”