Relapsing polychondritis: A rare cause of sudden severe sensorineural hearing loss
Zamzil Amin ASHA’ARI 1, Mohd Sayuti RAZALI 1, Rosnida Azura YUSOF 2
1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia, and 2 Outpatient Unit, Beserah Health Polyclinic, Pahang, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a very rare disease, and the symptoms can be vague. This case report serves as a reminder to take RP into consideration in patients with sudden hearing loss, with concurrent features of recurrent cartilaginous inflammation. A young lady presented with recurrent eye inflammation for two years and sought treatments from various general practitioners and ophthalmologists. Each attack was successfully controlled with a short course of oral or topical steroids. She later developed sudden onset aural perichondritis and severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a diagnosis of RP was made after clinical and laboratory assessments. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment has led to permanent hearing loss in this patient.
Keywords: Relapsing polychondritis, deafness, conjunctivitis, cartilage diseases
Correspondence author: Zamzil Amin ASHA’ARI
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Hospital, 25100 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Tel: 006019-9564996
Brunei Int Med J. 2013; 9 (3): 185-190