Sensorineural hearing loss in neurobrucellosis

Abstract

A case of neurobrucellosis presenting to the otologist with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as the predominant clinical feature is reported. The diagnostic features and treatment options are discussed and the need for prolonged combination treatment to prevent relapse and further deterioration of hearing stressed. SNHL in neurobrucellosis has hitherto been reported principally in neurology literature as something of an incidental finding and so escapes the attention of otologists. It is hoped that this report will alert otologists in areas where brucellosis is endemic to the need to include tests for brucellosis in the routine diagnostic screening for SNHL. Practitioners in other locations should also consider this possibility when dealing with patients who have visited or lived in endemic regions.

Management of Neurobrucellosis: An Assessment of 11 Cases

“…The problem was over in two (cases 1,4) although the complaints were permanent for the other two. This datum validates the understanding that hearing problem is one of the most important problems in neurobrucellosis (27,28). From this point, otologists should consider diagnostic Brucella tests for hearing loss in Brucellosis endemic areas.…”

Neurobrucellosis Presenting as Acute Psychosis

“…Sensorineural hearing loss although rare has long been reported in patients with neurobrucellosis and if the disease is not treated early, permanent hearing loss can occur. [2] The finding can be overlooked if other features of neurobrucellosis are not prominent. In our patient, the hearing loss was wrongly thought to be noise induced and the associated headache was treated symptomatically.…”

“…[1] Sensorineural hearing loss is an uncommon manifestation of brucellosis. [2] Psychosis as a presentation of neurobrucellosis is a much rarer condition. There are only a few previous reports of brucella psychosis in the literature.…”

Brusellozun nadir bir komplikasyonu olan nörobruselloz: üç çocuk olgu sunumu

“…antibodies in CSF and abnormal CSF findings (more than 10 cells, decrease in CSF glucose, increase in CSF protein) (14). The positivity of Brucella agglutination test with Coombs in CSF has been proposed to be very valuable in the diagnosis (14,15).…”