Ann Rheum Dis 2001;60:69-71
( January )
Concise report
Prolonged prodrome, systemic vasculitis, and deafness in Cogan's
syndrome
S Van Doornuma, G McColla, M Walterb, I Jennensc, P Bhathald, I P Wicksa
a Rheumatology Unit,
The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville VIC 3050, Australia, b Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne
Hospital, c Victorian Infectious
Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, d Department
of Anatomical Pathology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Correspondence to: Professor Ian Wicks, Department of
Rheumatology, Ground Floor, West Wing, Charles Connibere Building, The
Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville VIC 3050, Australia
wicks{at}wehi.edu.au
Accepted for publication 27 April 2000
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.
© 2001 by Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
