Cryptococcal meningitis presenting with acute hearing loss

Aleem Azal Ali; Naji Maaliki; Monique Oye; Carmen Liliana Isache

doi:10.1136/bcr-2021-242059

Cryptococcal meningitis presenting with acute hearing loss

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 May 4;14(5):e242059. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-242059.

Authors

Aleem Azal Ali¹, Naji Maaliki², Monique Oye², Carmen Liliana Isache²

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA a.azal.ali@gmail.com.
² Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Abstract

Reversible sensorineural hearing loss is a recognised complication of cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcal meningitis typically presents with usual symptoms of fever, headache and neck stiffness. This case highlights acute, profound, bilateral hearing loss as the initial symptom and presentation of cryptococcal meningitis in a young woman, who was later diagnosed with AIDS.

Keywords: HIV / AIDS; cryptococcus; ear; infectious diseases; meningitis; nose and throat/otolaryngology.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Cryptococcus neoformans*
Female
Hearing Loss, Bilateral / diagnosis
Hearing Loss, Bilateral / etiology
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* / diagnosis
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* / etiology
Hearing Loss, Sudden*
Humans
Meningitis, Cryptococcal* / complications
Meningitis, Cryptococcal* / diagnosis
Meningitis, Cryptococcal* / drug therapy