Neurotological Evaluation of Harada's Disease

Abstract

We have had 30 patients with Harada's disease at our clinic from 1980 to 1993 and their neurotological findings were retrospectively reviewed. There were 12 males and 18 females, whose ages ranged from 15-years to 67-years. Preceding symptoms such as headache or common cold were observed in 50% of the patients. Pleocytosis of the cerebrospinal fluid was found in 89% of the patients. Subjective cochlear and/or vestibular symptoms were noted in 60% of the patients. In 43 of the 50 ears, sensorineural hearing loss (40 dB) was observed. In 77% of the patients, vestibular function tests gave abnormal results. On the basis of our findings, it was suggested that Harada's disease with vertiginous and cochlear symptoms could be classified as follows: cochlear type, peripheral vestibular type, cochleovestibular type, central type, and unclassified, based on the neurotological results.

Key Words:

• Harada's disease
• Neurotological examination
• peripheral or central disorder