Abstract
Twelve cases of inner ear syphilis, 38 to 60 years old,(8 congenital and 4 acquired) were studied emphasizing the results of the otoneurological examination. The 12 cases consisted of 4 males and 8 females. No gaze nystagmus was found in any case, but positional nystagmus was evident in 10 of the 12 cases with electronystagmography with eyes covered in darkness. All cases showed C. P. or D. P. in caloric testing, above all 4 ears revealed absent responses. The Romberg Test was positive in 2 cases, and the Mann Test was positive in 7 cases. The average of the hearing threshold level at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz was 65.3 dB. in congenital and 32.8 dB. in acquired syphilis. With regard to SRT, 65.3 dB. in congenital and 27.7 dB. in acquired. About SDS, 50.6% in the former and 83.5% in the latter. The Ogata-Method, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) Test and TPHA were performed as serologic test for syphilis. Four cases were positive in Ogata-Method, 9 cases were positive in the RPR Test and all cases were positive in the TPHA. The authors emphasize the importance of performing serologic test for patient with severe sensorineural hearing loss and bilaterally diminished caloric responses.
