Prolonged prodrome, systemic vasculitis, and deafness in Cogan's syndrome
- aRheumatology Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville VIC 3050, Australia, bDepartment of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, cVictorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, dDepartment of Anatomical Pathology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Professor Ian Wicks, Department of Rheumatology, Ground Floor, West Wing, Charles Connibere Building, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville VIC 3050, Australiawicks{at}wehi.edu.au
- Accepted 27 April 2000
Abstract
Cogan's syndrome is a rare, multisystem disease which occurs predominantly in children and young adults. It was originally described as the combination of interstitial keratitis and audiovestibular disturbance, but other forms of ocular disease, as well as systemic vasculitis, have since been recognised as part of the syndrome. Diagnosis can be difficult if the various manifestations occur separately, but early recognition is important because prompt treatment may prevent deafness. Two cases are presented here illustrating the features of this disease, and providing histological evidence of systemic vasculitis in both.
