Assessment of cochlear function in vitiligo patients

ABSTRACT

Melanocytes are located in various sites, as epidermis, hair follicles, dermis, mucous membranes, leptomeninges, eye and inner ear. Vitiligo is considered by several investigators as a systemic disease affecting the entire pigmentary system and possibly the melanocytes in the ear, and it could be accompanied, in some cases, by ocular as well as auditory abnormalities. The results of the present study indicated that most vitiligo patients have a normal cochlear function as measured by evoked oto-acoustic emission when compared with normal controls. Thus, audiologic abnormalities are not considered as an aspect of the disease