Nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis and bilateral deafness (Cogan's syndrome) associated with essential polyangitis (periarteritis nodosa); a review of the syndrome with consideration of a possible pathogenic mechanism.

Abstract

IN 1945, Cogan1 described a syndrome consisting of nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis with deafness. Subsequently, a number of other cases were reported, mostly in the ophthalmologic literature. Although these authors speculated on an association with systemic disease, no definite etiology could be found in fifteen cases 1 2 3 4 5 6 reported up to the present. We have had the opportunity of observing an additional case in which two episodes of oculo-aural symptoms occurred before the onset of extensive vascular lesions, pointing to a possible association between essential polyangitis (periarteritis nodosa) and the initial symptoms. In view of the rarity of the syndrome, it may be . . .