Bilateral Fluctuating Sensorineural Hearing Loss as a Paraneoplastic Manifestation for Lymphoma

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 135; no. 4; p. 1496
• Main Authors: Young, Ting-Chia, Wang, Wen-Hsiu, Chu, Chia-Huei, Lin, Hung-Ching, Chen, Pey-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Autoimmune Diseases - complications; Autoimmune Diseases - diagnosis; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Autoimmune Diseases - etiology; Female; Hearing Loss, Bilateral - diagnosis; Hearing Loss, Bilateral - etiology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - diagnosis; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - etiology; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - complications; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - diagnosis; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - drug therapy; Paraneoplastic Syndromes - diagnosis; Paraneoplastic Syndromes - etiology; paraneoplastic syndromes; acute sensorineural hearing loss; autoimmune inner ear disease; lymphoma
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.31870

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is an uncommon cause of fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is diagnosed by exclusion and required a high index of suspicion. Secondary AIED, which accompanies other autoimmune diseases, occurs in up to 30% of AIED cases. Secondary AIED is a rare manifestation of paraneoplastic syndrome, and the causal malignancy may be occult initially. Detecting and treating associated diseases, along with the use of immunosuppressants, are the mainstay for the management of AIED. Herein, we presented a woman with bilateral fluctuating and progressive SNHL, partially responding to steroid or immunosuppressant treatment. Her hearing eventually stabilized after completing the treatment for diffuse large B cell lymphoma, which was diagnosed 6 months after the onset of hearing loss. This case serves as a reminder to physicians to be aware of AIED in cases of fluctuating SNHL and the possibility of associated malignancy alongside autoimmune disturbance. Laryngoscope, 135:1496-1498, 2025.