Sudden hearing loss after cialis (tadalafil) use: A unique case of cochlear hydrops

One mechanism of sudden sensorineural hearing loss after sildenafil and sexual activity

OBJECTIVES

A case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following use of sildenafil was examined in detail over a period of three days from first report to recovery.

DESIGN

Case study. The subject presented with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and diplacusis a day after onset. Testing involved detailed interview, standard audiometry, detailed inter-octave audiometry, and measurement of detailed psychophysical frequency tuning curves during a two day recovery period.

STUDY SAMPLE

One male aged in his thirties with otherwise normal hearing.

RESULTS

Although standard audiometry was within normal limits, detailed inter-octave audiometry and psychophysical frequency tuning curves were consistent with a punctate unilateral intra-cochlear lesion that resolved over a period of three days.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of such a frequency-specific audiometric shift and diplacusis after sildenafil, and is not consistent with previous reports of direct ototoxic pharmacological effects. We propose that the lesion was most likely caused by a cochlear bleed, and may have been due to physical exertion rather than a direct pharmaceutical effect. The study highlights the important role of additional diagnostic testing that can be easily achieved in a clinical setting with minimal equipment.

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and hearing impairment: a disproportionality analysis using the US food and drug administration adverse event reporting system

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) and hearing impairment adverse events (HIAEs) while providing an overview of the characteristics of drug-related HIAEs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a detailed pharmacovigilance analysis using data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, covering 2004 to 2022. By calculating the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and the information component (IC), we identified signals that indicate the association between PDE-5i use and HIAEs.

RESULTS

Among the 191,398 reports related to PDE-5i, we identified 2,608 cases of HIAEs. Signals were observed for both PDE-5i monotherapy and polytherapy, indicating combinations of drugs. Avanafil exhibited the strongest signal (ROR: 4.35, 95% CI: 2.56-7.41, IC: 2.09, 95% CI: 0.10-3.51), while vardenafil showed the weakest signal (ROR: 2.69, 95% CI: 2.21-3.28, IC: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.74-2.04). Sildenafil had the highest reported cases (ROR: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.82-3.24, IC: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.34-1.80).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight a significant correlation between PDE-5i use and HIAEs, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation in clinical practice and providing appropriate guidance to patients before initiating treatment.

Isolated Saccular Hydrops on High-resolution MRI Is Associated With Full Spectrum Menière's Disease

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical presentation of patients with isolated saccular endolymphathic hydrops (EH) detected.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical case series.

SETTING

University-based tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

All subjects presenting with vertigo or hearing loss who had isolated saccular EH detected.

INTERVENTION

High-resolution delayed-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted between November 2015 and November 2016.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Audiovestibular testing results and analysis of clinical histories.

RESULTS

Isolated saccular EH was detected in 18 subjects. Sixteen met criteria for definite Menière's disease (MD, n = 12) or delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH, n = 4). One had a history of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and 3 years after MRI developed recurrent vertigo characteristic of DEH. One patient had a history of atypical DEH (Tumarkin falls without vertigo following SSNHL). Four patients had Tumarkin falls. Most (83%) demonstrated mild-to-severe low-frequency fluctuating loss, and six (33.3%) had a history of ipsilateral sudden profound SNHL. Nine of the 17 (53%) patients tested had an ipsilateral caloric paresis ranging from 26 to 67%. Ipsilateral vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials showed reduced or absent responses in 5 of the 17 tested (29%).

CONCLUSIONS

The full spectrum of MD may be associated with saccular hydrops. We propose that MD and DEH often begin in the saccule, and MRI may provide clues to the pathophysiology of MD. Saccular hydrops was present in one patient with SSNHL who did not develop vertigo spells until 3 years after MRI, indicating that saccular hydrops may be the first manifestation of MD or DEH.

Cochlear Meniere's: A Distinct Clinical Entity With Isolated Cochlear Hydrops on High-Resolution MRI?

Objective: Describe the clinical characteristics of patients with isolated cochlear endolymphatic hydrops (EH). Study design: Clinical case series. Setting: Tertiary Neurotology referral clinic. Patients: All subjects presenting to a University Neurotology clinic during a 1-year period from July 2015 until August 2016 who had isolated cochlear EH on MRI. Patients with a history of temporal bone surgery prior to the MRI were excluded. Intervention: High-resolution delayed-intravenous contrast MRI. Main outcome measures: Audiometric and vestibular testing, clinical history analysis. Results: 10 subjects demonstrated isolated, unilateral cochlear hydrops on MRI. None of these patients met the criteria for Meniere's disease. Mean age of the group was 66.4 years and most were males (70%). Unilateral aural fullness (70%), tinnitus (80%), and hearing loss (90%) were frequently observed. Only one patient presented with unsteadiness (10%) and one patient had a single isolated spell of positional vertigo 1 month prior to the MRI (10%) but no further vertigo spells in the 4 years following the MRI. The mean PTA was 37.8 dB which was significantly decreased from the non-affected ear with PTA of 17.9 (p < 0.001). One patient developed vertiginous spells and unsteadiness 4 years after initial presentation and a repeat MRI revealed progression to utricular, saccular and cochlear hydrops. Vestibular testing was obtained in five patients with one patient presenting with 50% caloric paresis and all others normal. The most common treatment tried was acetazolamide in seven patients with 86% reporting subjective clinical improvement. Two out of the 10 patients had a history of migraine (20%). Conclusions: Patients with MRI exhibiting isolated cochlear EH present with predominantly auditory symptoms: mild to moderate low-frequency hearing loss, aural fullness, tinnitus without significant vertigo. Isolated cochlear hydrops is more common in males, average age in mid-60's and there is a low comorbidity of migraine headaches. This contrasts significantly with patients with isolated saccular hydrops on MRI from our prior studies. We believe that isolated cochlear EH with hearing loss but no vertigo is distinct from Meniere's disease or its variant delayed endolymphatic hydrops. We propose that cochlear Meniere's disease represents a distinct clinical entity that could be a variant of Meniere's disease.

Single Cell and Single Nucleus RNA-Seq Reveal Cellular Heterogeneity and Homeostatic Regulatory Networks in Adult Mouse Stria Vascularis

The stria vascularis (SV) generates the endocochlear potential (EP) in the inner ear and is necessary for proper hair cell mechanotransduction and hearing. While channels belonging to SV cell types are known to play crucial roles in EP generation, relatively little is known about gene regulatory networks that underlie the ability of the SV to generate and maintain the EP. Using single cell and single nucleus RNA-sequencing, we identify and validate known and rare cell populations in the SV. Furthermore, we establish a basis for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying SV function by identifying potential gene regulatory networks as well as druggable gene targets. Finally, we associate known deafness genes with adult SV cell types. This work establishes a basis for dissecting the genetic mechanisms underlying the role of the SV in hearing and will serve as a basis for designing therapeutic approaches to hearing loss related to SV dysfunction.