[Multiple affections of the cranial nerves as a pathognomonic sign of periarteritis nodosa. Relationship with Cogna's syndrome (author's transl)].

A 43-year-old woman was found to have multiple cranial neuritis affections, present as an isolated disorder over a long period, and characterized by bilateral deafness and associated lesions of the VII and V cranial nerves. On investigation, visual disturbances were discovered which were of a transitory nature and made up a total clinical picture suggesting Cogan's syndrome. Neuropathological examination revealed the presence of typical periarteritis nodosa lesions in the cranial nerves. The authors suggest, therefore, that certain cases described as Cogan's syndrome are in fact particular forms of periarteritis nodosa.