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Eighth nerve alcoholic neuropathy: A case report with light and electron microscopic findings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Jukka S. Ylikoski ,
John W. House  and
Ibrahim Hernandez
Jukka S. Ylikoski
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
John W. House
Affiliation:
Otologic Medical Group, Inc., Los Angeles, California.
Ibrahim Hernandez
Affiliation:
Otologic Medical Group, Inc., Los Angeles, California.
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Abstract

A 55-year-old man with symptoms of hearing loss, balance disturbance, and facial weakness was treated by translabyrinthine eighth cranial nerve trans-section. The patient also had a history and physical signs of chronic alcoholism and peripheral polyneuropathy. Results of laboratory tests revealed concomitant nutritional deficiency. Histopathological examination of the eighth nerve showed extensive degeneration of both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers in both cochlear and vestibular divisions. Light and electron microscopic features of the degenerative process were compatible with previously described pathology of experimentally induced Wallerian-like degeneration. Alcoholic neuropathy as the cause of hearing loss and balance disturbance—and probably facial paresis—is suggested.

Type
Clinical records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 95 , Issue 6 , June 1981 , pp. 631 - 642
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1981

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