Question
I have a patient who is a survivor of West Nile Virus. She lost mobility on her right side. Ever since she had the virus she noticed a decrease in right ear hearing. I sent her to her ENT and she had a cholesteatoma. This patient has had a history of sinus and ear related problems. Have you heard of any similar cases? Do you think they are related or is it just a coincidence?
Answer
There is no connection I know between West Nile Virus and cholesteatoma or any ear disease, per se.
A more significant co-morbid condition would be sinusitis, which could predispose her to eustachian tube dysfunction and, in turn, to the development of cholesteatoma.
Eric Sargent, MD
BIO:
Eric W. Sargent, MD, FACS, is an otologist/neurotologist at the Michigan Ear Institute in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, the American Neurotology Society and the North American Skull Base Society. He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed papers and several chapters on topics in hearing, balance, and the assessment and treatment of ear disorders.