Polyarteritis nodosa and deafness. A human temporal bone study.

Temporal bone changes were described in a 66 year old woman with polyarteritis nodosa who became deaf 7 months before death. Polyarteritis nodosa of the left internal auditory artery was demonstrated with fibrosis and bone formation involving the cochlea and vestibular system. Endolymphatic hydrops of the basal turn of the cochlea was also present, as well as a chronic perforation of the free wall of the saccule.