Bilateral deafness in a case of a 15-year old girl caused by cerebral malaria

Introduction Malaria is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. The cerebral manifestation shows a broad clinical spectrum ranging from seizures, alterations in consciousness to cranial nerve dysfunction e.g. resulting in blindness and deafness.

Case report We present the case of a 15-year old Somalian girl with a bilateral post-lingual sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) since the age of seven. The audiometry showed a bilateral near complete deafness with residual hearing in the speech audiometry in just two frequencies in the deep tone area. CT scans of the brain showed changes of the semicircular ducts on both sides consistent with a labyrinthitis ossificans (LO) due to cerebral malaria. Through anamnesis and diagnostic features there were no other causes for the bilateral deafness. Furthermore, the MRT showed intact cochleae and auditory nerves. Therefore, we indicated a cochlea implantation on the left ear for a sufficient auditory rehabilitation.

Conclusion Malaria is a disease mostly located in tropical and sub-tropical areas and therefore affecting 40 %  of the population worldwide. Especially in our age of globalization it is important to take the cerebral malaria as a possible cause of childhood deafness into account and consequently recognizing the indication for cochlea implants. This can lead to a better outcome and preventing the development of inoperable auditory sequels.

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Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021