1e:T47d,ETHACRYNIC acid, 2-3 dichloro-4-(2 methylenebutyrl) phenoxyacetic acid, has received considerable attention as a new potent diuretic. It has been found effective in treating the edema of cardiac decompensation, renal disease, and hepatic cirrhosis.^1-4It is also useful as an antihypertensive agent.⁵ The major adverse effects of the drug are alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance,^1,2and in some cases, orthostatic hypotension as well as hepatic coma secondary to these changes. Gastrointestinal symptoms^1-4including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea have also been reported as have symptomatic hypoglycemia²and asymptomatic hyperuricemia.^1,2A single case of transient acute deafness following the intravenous administration of ethacrynic acid was noted by Maher and Schreiner.² This report documents five instances of transient hearing loss in patients receiving ethacrynic acid.

Report of Cases

Case 1.

—Patient S. R., a 55-year-old Negro housewife with diabetes mellitus of 26 years' duration, was admitted to the New York Hospital1f:T428,ETHACRYNIC acid is a potent new diuretic which causes sodium and potassium excretion. It is especially useful in patients with refractory edema, cardiac decompensation, hepatic cirrhosis, and renal disease. Side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, hypoglycemia, and hyperuricemia, are not unusual. A granulocytosis and neutropenia have been reported. Recently Maher and Schreiner,¹and Schneider and Becker²have reported transient hearing loss following the administration of ethacrynic acid in humans. A cysteine derivative of ethacrynic acid was withdrawn from clinical use because of high incidence of transient hearing loss. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of hearing loss and describe the pathology following the administration of ethacrynic acid.

Report of a Case

The patient was a 53-year-old woman who was hospitalized with hepatic cirrhosis, acute renal failure, and esophageal varices. Examination revealed a severely jaundiced individual with ascites, enlarged liver and spleen. Shortly after admission

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