Otosyphilis: A Rare Cause of Reversible Hearing Loss in a Teenage Male

Authors

Shan He
Anna H Messner
Gayatri Mirani

Publication Date

3-1-2022

Journal

Cureus

DOI

10.7759/cureus.23468

PMID

35494944

PMCID

PMC9038597

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-24-2022

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

sexually transmitted diseases, aids, hiv, hearing loss, otosyphilis, neurosyphilis, syphilis

Abstract

A high index of suspicion and a thorough neurotologic examination at the onset of presentation are imperative to generate the diagnosis of otosyphilis. Complete audiologic recovery is rare but possible in approximately 20%-25% of patients after appropriate treatment. We present a case of reversible hearing loss secondary to otosyphilis in a teenage male patient with a new diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Audiology findings were consistent with mixed hearing loss. Lumbar puncture results were consistent with neurosyphilis. Prompt treatment with a 14-day course of intravenous penicillin led to the complete recovery of hearing. In this case report, the pathophysiology, symptomology, and management of otosyphilis are discussed.