[Toxic inner ear damage in topical treatment of psoriasis with salicylates].

BACKGROUND

Whereas cochlear impairment after intravenous ingestions of salicylates is well known, reports of cochlear symptoms after topical application are quite rare. The extent of the ototoxic salicylate impact is increased by diabetes, renal insufficiency, and alcoholism.

PATIENT: This study presents a case report of a female patient who suffered a repeated, symmetric, pancochlear, reversible inner ear impairment after two treatments with salicylate containing ointment for psoriasis. The correlation of the salicylate therapy with the observed inner ear lesions is obvious due to the close interval between these incidences and to the audiologic criteria typical for salicylate intoxication.

CONCLUSION

Audiologic controls should be carried out during extended local application of salicylate containing ointment.