Mejzlík J., Chrobok V., Jelínková H.: Lightning Strike-induced Hearing Loss

Czech version

Authors: Jan Mejzlík ^1,2; Viktor Chrobok ^1,2,3; H. Jelínková ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika otorinolaryngologie a chirurgie hlavy a krku, Pardubická krajská nemocnice, a. s., přednosta prof. MUDr. V. Chrobok, CSc., Ph. D. ¹; Katedra klinických oborů Fakulty zdravotnických studií Univerzity Pardubice, vedoucí doc. MUDr. K. Havlíček, CSc. ²; Katedra válečné chirurgie, Fakulta vojenského zdravotnictví, Univerzita obrany, Hradec Králové, vedoucí katedry doc. MUDr. L. Klein, CSc. ³
Published in: Otorinolaryngol Foniatr, 60, 2011, No. 1, pp. 46-50.
Category: Case Reports

Overview

Lightning strike induces hearing loss in three different ways:
blast injury, burns and electromechanical disintegration of cell membranes. Each of these three types of pathophysiological processes is described and discussed in this case report.

A fifty year old lady was struck by lightning when using a wired phone. The main complaints were hearing impairment, tinnitus, double vision, dizziness, temporary facial nerve palsy, sensory deficit of the left face and right upper extremity. Conservative treatment was started immediately: antibiotics, corticosteroids, vitamin B 12 and Agapurin. After four months a left side myringoplasty was performed. However, more than one year after the injury she still suffers from headaches, tinnitus, balance dysfunction and loss of concentration. Despite the rarity of lightning induced hearing impairment, the basics of treatment should be generally known.

Key words:
lightning strike, telephone, ear, lightning injury.

Sources

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Labels

Audiology Paediatric ENT ENT (Otorhinolaryngology)

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Article was published in

Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics

2011 Issue 1