Otoneurological Observation and Classification of Harada's Disease Presenting with Aural Symptoms, Especially Vertigo

Abstract

Harada's disease is an uncommon autoimmune disease affecting melanocytes located in the uvea, inner ear, skin, hair, and meninges. A classification of Harada's disease presenting with aural symptoms, especially vertigo, was devised on the basis of otoneurological findings. Peripheral vestibular dysfunction, such as staggering in the stepping test, rotato-horizontal or horizontal nystagmus, and diminished labyrinthine function in the caloric nystagmus test, was observed in the vast majority of these patients. Harada's disease with such features was designated as the peripheral type, and was further divided into vestibular, cochleo-vestibular, and cochlear subtypes. Patients only rarely presented with symptoms or signs of central nervous system involvement, and Harada's disease with such features was designated as the central type.

Key Words:

• Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's syndrome
• autoimmune disease
• peripheral vertigo