돌발성난청 환자에서의 바이러스 감염에 관한 연구

Background and Objects: Sudden deafness is defined as an abrupt onset of sensorineural hearing loss which develops over a period of hours or a few days without definite cause unilaterally or bilaterally. The etiology and pathophysiology of sudden deafness are controversial at present time, but it is possible for apparent or inapparent viral infections to cause sudden deafness. We performed retrospective study about clinical data in sudden deafness patients and also compared the results of audiologic studies and clinical manifestations between presumed viral infected patients and non-infected patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 131 patients seen in the past 4 years between 1997 to 2001 who had an initial diagnosis of sudden deafness and measured viral IgM antibody titer about Mumps, Herpes zoster, Cytomegalovirus, Rubella, Ebstein Barr virus, Herpes simplex, Measles, Influenza virus. Results: Of the 131 patients, 22 patients (16.8%) were serologically proved viral infection. There were no significant differences in associated tinnitus, dizziness and URI history between viral infected group and non-infected group. Hearing recovery rate of viral infected group (23.8 ±18.5 dB) is greater than non-infected group (15.4 ±17.4 dB). Conclusion: Viral infection is strongly suspected as a causative factor of sudden deafness and viral infected group is better prognosis than non-infected group (p<0.05). (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2002;13:183–187)