Otologic manifestations of waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia presenting with bilateral vestibular loss: a case report

“…In contrast with most of the literature in which hearing loss usually prevails on vestibular symptoms in patients affected by WM, 5 , 7 in the present case cochlear function was partially spared by hypoxia, with only a bilateral high-frequency hearing impairment.…”

“…Only a few case series and literature reviews report hematologic pathologies as a possible cause of BVL 3 , 4 and, similarly, cochleo-vestibular symptoms appear to be an unusual presentation of hematological disorders. 5 Nevertheless, several reports described audio-vestibular manifestations occurring in patients with WM. A direction-changing positional nystagmus has been explained through the effect of heavy globulins on the cupulae of the canals, resulting in a buoyancy mechanism.…”

“…A direction-changing positional nystagmus has been explained through the effect of heavy globulins on the cupulae of the canals, resulting in a buoyancy mechanism. 6 Conversely, hearing loss and various levels of vestibular impairment have been related to different pathologic processes occurring in WM, such as multiple hemorrhagic phenomena, 7 small vessel thrombosis secondary to sudden release of clotting factors, 5 and increased blood viscosity resulting in the obstruction of labyrinthine small vessels. 8 Moreover, some reports have also described a symptomatic improvement with a reduction of blood hyperviscosity, mainly after plasmapheresis.…”

“… 8 Moreover, some reports have also described a symptomatic improvement with a reduction of blood hyperviscosity, mainly after plasmapheresis. 5 , 6 Indeed, one of the most important consequences related to the rheological properties of circulating IgM pentameters is hyperviscosity syndrome (HS), which is a distinguishing feature of WM. Nevertheless, it is observed in only 10%–30% of patients with WM and it can be also seen in patients with other hematological disorders.…”

A Scoping Review of Otologic Manifestations of Hematologic Malignancies

“…Two hundred seventy-two articles reported on 553 patients with otologic manifestations of hematologic malignancies, of which 255 (93.8%) were case reports and of OECBM level V evidence and 17 (6.2%) were case series and of OECBM level IV evidence (Supplement 3, http://links.lww.com/MAO/B834; Supplement 4, http://links.lww.com/MAO/B835) (4,5,7–10,13,14,19–282). While the largest proportion of articles originated in the United States (n = 83, 30.5%), the literature spanned countries across all continents.…”