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Sudden sensorineural hearing loss following intramuscular administration of penicillin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Pedro Alberto Escada ,
Clara Capucho  and
José Francisco Madeira da Silva
Pedro Alberto Escada
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Egas Moniz University Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
Clara Capucho
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Egas Moniz University Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
José Francisco Madeira da Silva
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medical Sciences, New University of Lisbon, Portugal
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Abstract

We report a case of sudden hearing loss in a patient with acute exudative tonsillitis, occurring 15 minutes after the intramuscular administration of penicillin. Audiological evaluation documented a profound sensorineural hearing loss of the cochlear type. The mechanism of the hearing loss was probably an immediate hypersensitivity (type I) allergic drug reaction. Penicillin is used frequently for the treatment of several infections. Allergic reactions to penicillin are well known and include urticaria, maculopapular exanthems, angio-oedema, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis, but sudden hearing loss has never been recorded.

Keywords

Hearing Loss SuddenPenicillinsTonsillitis
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 118 , Issue 2 , February 2004 , pp. 143 - 145
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2004

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