Evaluation of Semicircular Canal Function in Relapsing Polychondritis Patients With Dizziness and Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Video Head Impulse Test.

Objective: To evaluate semicircular canal function using video head impulse test (vHIT) in relapsing polychondritis (RP) patients presenting with dizziness and sensorineural hearing loss.

Study design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patients: Three patients with RP underwent vHIT and hearing tests.

Intervention: Diagnostic.

Main outcome measures: The gain in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and the presence of catch-up saccade were examined, and the correlation between semicircular canal dysfunction and hearing loss was investigated.

Results: Of the six ears, five exhibited semicircular canal dysfunction. Among these, one ear showed dysfunction in two semicircular canals, while the remaining four ears demonstrated dysfunction in all three semicircular canals. Sensorineural hearing loss, ranging from moderate to profound, was detected by pure-tone audiometry in all six ears. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between VOR gain in the horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) and hearing level.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated semicircular canal dysfunction in RP patients presenting with dizziness and hearing loss using vHIT. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between HSC dysfunction and the severity of hearing loss. While inner ear involvement is a key clinical symptom included in the diagnostic criteria for RP, there have been few reports evaluating vestibular dysfunction, and this is the first report on the evaluation of several cases using vHIT. Accurate assessment of vestibular function by vHIT may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention in RP, potentially improving patient outcomes.