Syndrome of Nonsyphilitic Interstitial Keratitis and Vestibuloauditory Symptoms

In 1945 and 1949, one of us (D. G. C.) described eight patients who presented a syndrome consisting of a characteristic type of interstitial keratitis associated with vestibuloauditory symptoms which usually result in complete deafness.1,2The ocular signs consist of patchy deep corneal infiltrates which tend to fluctuate in intensity and distribution, are usually located in the periphery, and are accompanied by deep corneal vascularization if they persist long enough. The vestibuloauditory symptoms consist of simultaneous onset of vertigo, tinnitus, and deafness. These usually progress rapidly to complete nerve deafness and nonresponsive labyrinths. Either the ocular or the vestibuloauditory system may be affected first, but the other is involved within two months. Young adults are peculiarly susceptible. The syndrome is always accompanied by leukocytosis and occasionally by eosinophilia. No evidence of syphilitic infection has been found. The purpose of this paper is to report a long-term follow-up of patients