Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T02:16:37.489Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Sensorineural hearing loss following lumbar puncture, spinal anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia: a case series and literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2022

M Alwan Open the ORCID record for M Alwan [Opens in a new window]  and
G Hurtado
M Alwan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
G Hurtado
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Dr M Alwan, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Monash Health, 823–865 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165, Australia E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

Sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia, epidural anaesthesia or lumbar puncture is a rare phenomenon that is thought to occur when reduced cerebrospinal fluid pressure is transmitted to the inner ear through an enlarged cochlear aqueduct.

Method

This study presents two cases of sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section as well as presenting results of a systemic review of the available literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Full-text articles from Medline, PubMed and Embase were used, as well as associated reference lists. Risk factors associated with poorer outcomes and an approach to management of this rare condition are also discussed.

Results

Twenty-one cases were identified. The literature was systematically reviewed showing presentations, investigations performed, treatments offered and outcomes.

Conclusion

Sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia, epidural anaesthesia or lumbar puncture is a rare occurrence that requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and prompt investigation and treatment.

Keywords

Hearing LossHearing Loss, SensorineuralAnesthesia, SpinalAnesthesia, EpiduralSpinal Puncture
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 3 , March 2022 , pp. 271 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Dr M Alwan takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

Erol, A, Topal, A, Arbag, H, Kilicaslan, A, Reisli, R, Otelcioglu, S. Auditory function after spinal anaesthesia: the effect of differently designed spinal needles. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2009;26:416–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walsted, A, Salomon, G, Olsen, KS. Hearing loss after spinal anesthesia. An audiological controlled trial [in Danish]. Ugeskrift Laeger 1993;155:3009–11Google Scholar
Michel, O, Brusis, T. Hearing disorders following spinal anesthesia. Reg Anaesth 1991;14:92–5Google ScholarPubMed
Day, CJ, Shutt, LE. Auditory, ocular, and facial complications of central neural block. A review of possible mechanisms. Reg Anesth 1996;21:197–201Google ScholarPubMed
Alwan, M, Hurtado, G. Unilateral permanent sudden sensorineural hearing loss after spina-epidural anaesthesia for caesarean section: a case report. J Surg Case Rep 2019;2019:rjz316CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, LP. Sudden bilateral hearing loss after spinal anaesthesia. A case report. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1986;30:412–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Michel, O, Brusis, T. Hearing loss as a sequel of lumbar puncture. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1992;101:390–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kilickan, L, Gurkan, Y, Ozkarakas, H. Permanent sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anesthesia. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2002;46:1155–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Benson, AG, Redfern, RE. Unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss after spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section: a case report. J Anesth Clin Res 2012;3Google Scholar
Sahin, C, Terzioglu, U, Yigit, G. Sudden bilateral hearing loss after spinal anaesthesia. J Laryngol Otol 2015;129:395–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, CJ, Yoo, Bw, Kim, JS, Cho, SH, Jeong, EK. Unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss after combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for emergency cesarean section: a case report. Anesth Pain Med 2016;11:359–61CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, CM, Peachman, FA. Unilateral hearing loss after spinal anesthesia treated with epidural blood patch. Anesth Analg 1986;65:312CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lybecker, H, Andersen, T. Repetitive hearing loss following dural puncture treated with autologous epidural blood patch. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1995;39:987–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johkura, K, Matsushita, Y, Kuroiwa, Y. Transient hearing loss after accidental dural puncture in epidural block. Eur J Neurol 2000;7:125–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nakaya, M, Morita, I, Horiuchi, M. Recurrent hearing loss after myelography treated with epidural blood patch. Auris Nasus Larynx 2005;32:399–401CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pogodzinski, MS, Shallop, JK, Sprung, J, Weingarten, TN, Wong, GY, McDonald, TJ. Hearing loss and cerebrospinal fluid pressure: case report and review of the literature. Ear Nose Throat J 2008;87:144–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zetlaoui, PJ, Gibert, S, Lambotte, O. Post-dural puncture postural vertigo. Can J Anesth 2008;55:191–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Field, V, Drake, E. An interesting case of unilateral tinnitis following dural puncture. Anaesthesia 2012;67:9Google Scholar
Kuselan, B, Selvaraj, G. Transient deafness following accidental dural puncture after epidural-a case report. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2017;e190Google Scholar
O'Shaughnessy, SM, Fitzgerald, CWR, Katiri, R, Kieran, S, Loughrey, JPR. Permanent hearing loss and tinnitus following epidural analgesia complicated by accidental dural puncture. Int J Obstet Anesth 2020;43:9–12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mattox, DE, Lyles, CA. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Am J Otol 1989;10:242–7Google ScholarPubMed
Vannson, N, James, C, Fraysse, B, Strelnikov, K, Barone, P, Deguine, O et al. Quality of life and auditory performance in adults with asymmetric hearing loss. Audiol Neurootol 2015;20(suppl 1):38–43CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fog, J, Wang, LP, Sundberg, A, Mucchiano, C. Hearing loss after spinal anesthesia is related to needle size. Anesth Analg 1990;70:517–22CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, LP, Fog, J, Bove, M. Transient hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia. Anaesthesia 1987;42:1258–63CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Panning, B, Lehnhardt, E, Mehler, D. Transient low frequency hearing loss after spinal anaesthesia. [in German]. Anaesthesist 1984;33:593–5Google Scholar
Walsted, A. Effects of cerebrospinal fluid loss on the auditory system. Clinical and experimental investigations. Dan Med Bull 1998;45:268–81Google ScholarPubMed
Schaffartzik, W, Hirsch, J, Frickmann, F, Kuhly, P, Ernst, A. Hearing loss after spinal and general anesthesia: a comparative study. Anesth Analg 2000;91:1466–72CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wlodyka, J. Studies on cochlear aqueduct patency. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1978;87:22–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yildiz, TS, Solak, M, Iseri, M, Karaca, B, Toker, K. Hearing loss after spinal anesthesia: the effect of different infusion solutions. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;137:79–82CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gultekin, S, Ozcan, S. Does hearing loss after spinal anesthesia differ between young and elderly patients? Anesth Analg 2002;94:1318–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ok, G, Tok, D, Erbuyun, K, Aslan, A, Tekin, I. Hearing loss does not occur in young patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2004;29:430–3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Finegold, H, Mandell, G, Vallejo, M, Ramanathan, S. Does spinal anesthesia cause hearing loss in the obstetric population? Anesth Analg 2002;95:198–203CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jackler, RK, Hwang, PH. Enlargement of the cochlear aqueduct: fact or fiction? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1993;109:14–25CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Swartz, JD. The otic capsule and otodystrophies. Imaging of the Temporal Bone. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, 1998:240–66Google ScholarPubMed
Mukherji, SK, Baggett, HC, Alley, J, Carrasco, VH. Enlarged cochlear aqueduct. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 1998;19:330–2Google ScholarPubMed
Atturo, F, Schart-Moren, N, Larsson, S, Rask-Andersen, H, Li, H. The human cochlear aqueduct and accessory canals: a micro-ct analysis using a 3D reconstruction paradigm. Otol Neurotol 2018;39:e429–e35CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ready, LB, Cuplin, S, Haschke, RH, Nessly, M. Spinal needle determinants of rate of transdural fluid leak. Anesth Analg 1989;69:457–60CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sundberg, A, Wang, LP, Fog, J. Influence of hearing of 22 G Whitacre and 22 G Quincke needles. Anaesthesia 1992;47:981–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Malhotra, SK, Iyer, BA, Gupta, AK, Raghunathan, M, Nakra, D. Spinal analgesia and auditory functions: a comparison of two sizes of Quincke needle. Minerva Anestesiol 2007;73:395–9Google ScholarPubMed
Malhotra, SK, Joshi, M, Grover, S, Sharma, SC, Dutta, A. Auditory function following spinal analgesia. Comparison of two spinal needles. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2002;19:69–72CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, RK, White, PF. A microscopic analysis of cut-bevel versus pencil-point spinal needles. Anesth Analg 1997;85:1101–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawrence, R, Thevasagayam, R. Controversies in the management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: an evidence-based review. Clin Otolaryngol 2015;40:176–82CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chandrasekhar, SS, Tsai Do, BS, Schwartz, SR, Bontempo, LJ, Faucett, EA, Finestone, SA et al. Clinical practice guideline: sudden hearing loss (update). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;161:S1–45CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marx, M, Younes, E, Chandrasekhar, SS, Ito, J, Plontke, S, O'Leary, S et al. International consensus (ICON) on treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis 2018;135:S23–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, AS, Armstrong, EJ, Armstrong, AW. Corticosteroids and wound healing: clinical considerations in the perioperative period. Am J Surg 2013;206:410–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rauch, SD, Halpin, CF, Antonelli, PJ, Babu, S, Carey, JP, Gantz, BJ et al. Oral vs intratympanic corticosteroid therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a randomized trial. JAMA 2011;305:2071–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mirian, C, Ovesen, T. Intratympanic vs systemic corticosteroids in first-line treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020;146:421–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed