COGANS-SYNDROME - OPHTHALMIC, AUDIOVESTIBULAR, AND SYSTEMIC MANIFESTATIONS AND THERAPY

Cogan's syndrome (CS) is a rare multisystem disease characterized by a cute nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis and audiovestibular dysfunct ion including neurosensory hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. This d isease was first recognized as a discrete clinical entity by David Cog an in 1945, when he reported a series of 4 patients with characteristi c findings, although prior isolated reports can be found in the litera ture [1]. The systemic associations of CS were recognized early histor ically by both Cogan [2-4] and others [5-8]. The most important system ic manifestations include vasculitis and aortic insufficiency. The acc urate diagnosis of CS assumes an importance disproportionate to its in cidence, as early systemic steroid therapy may prevent permanent deafn ess, whereas systemic workup and management can prevent life-threateni ng complications.