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Reversible sensorineural hearing loss in Lyme disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

S. J. Quinn
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
B. J. Boucher
Affiliation:
Academic Medical Unit, The London Hospital Medical College, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
J. B. Booth*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr J. B. Booth, ENT Department, Royal London Hospital, London El 1BB.

Abstract

We report a case of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss of two years duration which appears to have been due to late Borrelia burgdorferi infection. The 39-year-old woman presented with bilateral deafness and multiple other neurological complaints some six months after developing a ‘target’ lesion on the lower leg after walking in the New Forest. Serology for Borrelia burgdorferi became positive and the patient made a complete recovery from both her deafness and her other neurological problems after a five-week course of oral antibiotic therapy.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

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