%0 Journal Article
%T A rare case report of bilateral vestibulopathy due to otosyphilis.
%A Gu H
%A Xu Y
%A Xu J
%A Zhuang J
%J Medicine (Baltimore)
%V 103
%N 20
%D 2024 May 17
%M 38758873
%F 1.817
%R 10.1097/MD.0000000000038149
%X BACKGROUND: Bilateral vestibulopathy is an important cause of imbalance. There are multiple etiologies of bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP), but reports of BVP due to otosyphilis are rare.
METHODS: A 39-year-old male was referred to our medical center due to vertigo, persistent dizziness and gait disturbance for 2 months.
METHODS: Bilateral vestibulopathy due to otosyphilis was considered in this case, as confirmed through analyses of vestibular function, laboratory tests, and penicillin treatment.
METHODS: The patient was was treated with a high dose of penicillin G (24 × 106 IU/d) for 14 days.
RESULTS: The patient's symptoms had improved greatly following treatment, with dizziness and gait disturbance having completely resolved at 3 months following hospital discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral vestibulopathy should be considered when evaluating patients with acute or subacute persistent dizziness. Clinicians should also be aware of the potential for otosyphilis among patients who report BVP.