[Hearing loss in giant cell arteritis: A case report]

Abstract

Introduction: Hearing loss is a rare manifestation in giant cell arteritis. The different types of deafness are possible with a predominance of sensorineural deafness.

Case report: We report a 75-year-old woman who presented with typical manifestations of giant cell arteritis associated concomitantly with the occurrence of bilateral mixed hearing loss confirmed on the audiogram. Corticosteroids allowed a rapidly favorable clinical and biological outcome. The follow-up audiogram at 3 months was markedly improved and showed a decrease in sensorineural hearing loss and disappearance of conductive hearing loss.

Conclusion: Any rapid onset deafness in an inflammatory context in the elderly should lead to a search for giant cell arteritis. The diagnosis can be difficult in the absence of other typical manifestations, especially since the biopsy of the temporal artery most often comes back negative. Corticosteroids are usually effective.

Keywords: Artérite à cellules géantes; Deafness; Giant cell arteritis; Hearing loss; Maladie de Horton; Surdité.