Temporal Bone Histopathology Case of the Month Hearing Loss Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Temporal Bone Histopathology

摘要

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystemic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of auto antibodies against nucleic acids, proteins, erythrocytes, and others. Deposition of circulating immune complexes, composed of DNA and some antibodies, causes inflammatory reactions in most organs. In the mouse model of SLE, immunoglobulin G deposits on the thickened basement membranes of capillaries in the stria vascularis and ultimately significant hearing loss (HL) have been reported. In addition, HL has been observed in patients with SLE.A 22-year-old woman had been diagnosed at the age of 9 as having SLE based on a rash of malar areas and hands, a positive finding of fluorescein antinuclear antibody, increased gamma-globulin, and decreased C3. The subsequent course of her disease included severe lupus glomerulonephritis, arthritis (knees and ankles), alopecia, stomatitis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypertension. She received plasmapheresis and treatment with prednisone and Imuran.