Revista CEFAC
https://revistacefac.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/1982-0216/20232556223
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Case Reports

Effects of COVID-19 on auditory and vestibular function in an adult patient: a longitudinal case study

Efeitos da COVID-19 na função auditiva e vestibular em paciente adulta: um estudo de caso longitudinal

Maria Cristina Alves Corazza; Patrícia Arruda de Souza Alcarás; Larissa Vianna; Luíza Alves Corazza; Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda; Bianca Simone Zeigelboim

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/20232556223 Revista CEFAC, vol.25, n5, e6223, 2023
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Abstract

COVID-19 is a viral infection that mainly affects the lower respiratory tract and with the affinity of the Spike protein to the Angiotensin 2 converter enzyme, inducing a prothrombotic state which may lead to compromising of the cardiovascular, central nervous, auditory, and vestibular systems. Viral infections knowingly affect vestibular and auditory systems. This study aimed to present the auditory and vestibular findings of a woman without otoneurological complaints, before the infection with SARS-CoV-2. This is a longitudinal case report, presenting the evolution of the otoneurological clinical picture accompanied by the results of a battery of tests. The results evidenced a unilateral, permanent, cochlear sensorineural hearing loss through altered otoacoustic emissions albeit with normal tonal thresholds, accompanied by peripheral vestibular hypofunction which worsened with time, without any other factor that could justify these findings. This study shows the importance of the complete protocol of tests performed over time for a better understanding of long-time implications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Keywords

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Hearing; Vertigo; Hearing Loss

Resumo

A COVID-19 é uma infecção viral que afeta, principalmente, a via respiratória inferior e, com a afinidade da proteína Spike com a Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina 2, gerando estado protrombótico, pode haver comprometimento dos sistemas cardiovasculares, nervoso central e renal. As infecções virais são capazes, também, de causar alterações nos sistemas auditivo e vestibular. O presente estudo teve por finalidade apresentar os achados auditivos e vestibulares de uma mulher sem queixas otoneurológicas, previamente à infecção pela SARS-CoV-2. Trata-se de um relato de caso longitudinal, com apresentação da evolução do quadro clínico otoneurológico acompanhado de uma bateria de exames. Os resultados evidenciaram o aparecimento de uma perda auditiva neurossensorial unilateral prevista por emissões otoacústicas alteradas na presença limiares tonais normais. Com a sequência de exames, observou-se piora dos limiares auditivos e alteração da função vestibular, de maneira permanente, sem qualquer outro histórico que pudesse justificar a instalação do quadro. Em quadros infecciosos faz-se importante a longitudinalidade de avaliação com uso de protocolo completo de exames para melhor compreensão dos efeitos tardios. 

Palavras-chave

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Audição; Vertigem; Perda Auditiva

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Submitted date:
07/12/2023

Accepted date:
10/10/2023

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