Visual vestibular mismatch in patients treated with intratympanic gentamicin for Meniere's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To support the hypothesis that the symptom complex known as visual vestibular mismatch (VVM) can be induced by peripheral vestibular disease.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review; prospective questionnaire.


METHODS
A tertiary/quaternary care hospital clinic.


METHODS
The charts of 28 patients who were treated for Meniere's disease were studied. Their responses to a pretreatment VVM questionnaire were scored and compared with their answers in a telephone follow-up to the same questions posttreatment. These questionnaires were compared with those filled in by 100 control patients without ear disease.


METHODS
Patients' responses to a VVM-specific questionnaire.


RESULTS
Seventeen of 28 patients had VVM. Gentamicin therapy increased the number of positive answers. There was no correlation between the development of VVM complaints, caloric scores, and posturography performance. No control patients had symptoms of VVM.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the development of VVM indicates the onset or worsening of vestibular disease as it can be induced or exacerbated by gentamicin therapy. As there is no correlation between VVM and caloric scores, we suggest that otolithic damage may be responsible for this symptom set developing.
Longridge
Neil S
NS
Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, British Columbia.
Mallinson
Arthur I
AI
Denton
Andrew
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002150:Caloric Tests; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins