Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report

Abstract Background Meniere’s disease arises when an abnormal fluid accumulation results in heightened pressure within the inner ear or labyrinth. Its symptoms encompass vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Various triggers for Meniere’s disease are known, from sm...

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Main Authors: Hamza Arman Lateef, Evan Davies, Alidad Arabshahi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05028-1
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author Hamza Arman Lateef
Evan Davies
Alidad Arabshahi
author_facet Hamza Arman Lateef
Evan Davies
Alidad Arabshahi
author_sort Hamza Arman Lateef
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Meniere’s disease arises when an abnormal fluid accumulation results in heightened pressure within the inner ear or labyrinth. Its symptoms encompass vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Various triggers for Meniere’s disease are known, from smoking and alcohol consumption to recent viral illnesses, allergies, and anxiety. Meniere’s disease presenting as a postinfectious inflammatory condition secondary to parasitic disease is unknown. Case presentation A 37-year-old Hispanic male patient, native to southern Honduras, presented with dizziness and tinnitus. These symptoms progressed to include left-sided sensorineural hearing loss. The patient was clinically diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and referred to an otolaryngologist. Laboratory work-up revealed a positive result for the anti-heat shock proteins antibody and abnormal electrocochleography, more prominent on the left than the right. His vestibulonystagmogram displayed both central and peripheral findings, and bithermal caloric irrigations suggested abnormal peripheral function with a 57% weakness in the left ear. Despite dietary and lifestyle modifications, as well as treatment with oral steroids, his symptoms persisted. More detailed history revealed that he had been treated for a tapeworm infection at the age of 14 years in his Honduran village. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain highlighted postinflammatory calcification in the right parietal lobe and generalized volume loss, more substantial than what would be expected for the patient’s age. The patient was also referred to rheumatology and neurology, where he was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis. Conclusion To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that Meniere’s disease could be possibly triggered by or concurrent with neurocysticercosis. This highlights the need for a comprehensive examination to identify any coexisting neurological conditions in patients presenting with Meniere’s disease.
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spelling doaj-art-b9f9a7d2f52345dcbc181d58273853382025-01-26T12:35:28ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-01-011911610.1186/s13256-025-05028-1Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case reportHamza Arman Lateef0Evan Davies1Alidad Arabshahi2Harvard CollegeAllcareCenters for Advanced EntAbstract Background Meniere’s disease arises when an abnormal fluid accumulation results in heightened pressure within the inner ear or labyrinth. Its symptoms encompass vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Various triggers for Meniere’s disease are known, from smoking and alcohol consumption to recent viral illnesses, allergies, and anxiety. Meniere’s disease presenting as a postinfectious inflammatory condition secondary to parasitic disease is unknown. Case presentation A 37-year-old Hispanic male patient, native to southern Honduras, presented with dizziness and tinnitus. These symptoms progressed to include left-sided sensorineural hearing loss. The patient was clinically diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and referred to an otolaryngologist. Laboratory work-up revealed a positive result for the anti-heat shock proteins antibody and abnormal electrocochleography, more prominent on the left than the right. His vestibulonystagmogram displayed both central and peripheral findings, and bithermal caloric irrigations suggested abnormal peripheral function with a 57% weakness in the left ear. Despite dietary and lifestyle modifications, as well as treatment with oral steroids, his symptoms persisted. More detailed history revealed that he had been treated for a tapeworm infection at the age of 14 years in his Honduran village. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain highlighted postinflammatory calcification in the right parietal lobe and generalized volume loss, more substantial than what would be expected for the patient’s age. The patient was also referred to rheumatology and neurology, where he was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis. Conclusion To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that Meniere’s disease could be possibly triggered by or concurrent with neurocysticercosis. This highlights the need for a comprehensive examination to identify any coexisting neurological conditions in patients presenting with Meniere’s disease.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05028-1Meniere’s diseaseSensorineural hearing lossNeurocysticercosisAutoimmune
spellingShingle Hamza Arman Lateef
Evan Davies
Alidad Arabshahi
Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Meniere’s disease
Sensorineural hearing loss
Neurocysticercosis
Autoimmune
title Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report
title_full Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report
title_fullStr Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report
title_short Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss/Meniere’s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis: a case report
title_sort autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss meniere s disease possibly triggered by neurocysticercosis a case report
topic Meniere’s disease
Sensorineural hearing loss
Neurocysticercosis
Autoimmune
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05028-1
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