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Computed tomography features of luetic osteitis (otosyphilis) of the temporal bone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2014

A Ogungbemi ,
C Dudau ,
S Morley  and
T Beale
A Ogungbemi*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK
C Dudau
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK
S Morley
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK
T Beale
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University College Hospitals, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Ayokunle Ogungbemi, 502 Charthouse, 6 Burrells Wharf Square, London E14 3TW, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

We report a missed case of otosyphilis presenting as otic capsule lucencies on temporal bone computed tomography.

Methods:

A 58-year-old woman presented with a 15-year history of bilateral, mixed hearing loss together with otic capsule lucencies, subsequently confirmed as otosyphilis. A literature review of otosyphilis was undertaken based on a PubMed search of studies published between 1988 and 2012, using the key words ‘otosyphilis’, ‘otodystrophy’, ‘otic capsule lucencies’ and ‘luetic osteitis’.

Results and conclusion:

Although rare, otosyphilis is important to recognise as it is one of the few treatable causes of deafness when diagnosed early. The differentiating computed tomography features of luetic osteitis (otosyphilis) of the temporal bone have only rarely been described. We emphasise how these imaging features can be used to distinguish the rare but treatable condition of luetic osteitis from other, more common conditions with similar imaging findings.

Keywords

AdultDeafnessHearing LossSyphilis SerodiagnosisSyphilisTherapeuticsTreponemal InfectionsImagingDiagnostic
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 2 , February 2014 , pp. 185 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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