A Case of Vitiligo Associated with Meniere’s Disease

Abstract

Vitiligo is a pigmentary skin disorder characterized by chronic and progressive loss of melanocytes. Although the etiology of vitiligo is still unknown, several theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of vitiligo including autoimmune, neural, selfdestruction, oxidative stress, and genetic theories. Currently, the most convincing of these theories invokes an interaction between genetic and unknown environmental factors, resulting in autoimmune melanocyte destruction. Meniere's disease (MD) is a chronic multifactorial disorder, where combined environmental and genetic factors determine its development. MD is characterized by recurrent vertigo, fluctuating or progressive sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, and it is associated with an accumulation of endolymph in the inner ear (endolymphatic hydrops). Although its etiology is not known, genetic or epigenetic factors have a significant contribution. And recently many articles support the hypothesis that Meniere's disease is an autoimmune disorder and associated with immune-mediated disorder. Loss of otic melanocytes may occur in patients with vitiligo and, evidences of sensorineural hearing loss in vitiligo patients have been reported over the last decade. However, there have been no reports of Meniere's disease associated with vitiligo patients. A 15-year-old male presented with irregular depigmented maculopatches on the left pre-auricular, forehead, and lower cheek area about 3 months ago. He had been suffering from Meniere's disease from 3 yrs ago. Physical examination revealed localized well-demarcated irregular depigmented maculopatches onthe left pre-auricular, forehead,andlowercheekarea. Wereport an interesting case of vitiligo on the face with Meniere's disease.