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Case Reports
. 2022 Mar 24;14(3):e23468.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.23468. eCollection 2022 Mar.

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

Shan He  1 , Anna H Messner  2 , Gayatri Mirani  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

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

Shan He et al. Cureus. .

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.

Keywords: aids; hearing loss; hiv; neurosyphilis; otosyphilis; sexually transmitted diseases; syphilis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Dermatologic Findings on Physical Examination
Figure 2
Figure 2. Pretreatment and Posttreatment Audiograms
Figure 3
Figure 3. Pretreatment and Posttreatment Tympanograms
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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