title: Exacerbation of audiovestibular symptoms in a patient with Ménière's disease and choroidal melanoma.
abstract: We report the case of a man affected by a unilateral Ménière's disease who, after being free from vertigo spells and tinnitus for more than ten years, manifested an exacerbation of symptoms just before the diagnosis of a choroidal melanoma. Melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer derived from neuroectodermal melanocytes. Melanocytes are present in the inner ear where they contribute to the production of endolymphatic potentials and to the maintenance of normal volumes of the inner ear fluids. A possible autoimmune connection between the exacerbation of audiovestibular symptoms and melanoma is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Audiology Unit Department of Clinical Sciences, Community Health Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Pace 9, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: stefania.barozzi@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barozzi
authors.affiliation: Audiology Unit Department of Clinical Sciences, Community Health Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Pace 9, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ginocchio
authors.affiliation: Audiology Unit Department of Clinical Sciences, Community Health Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Pace 9, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cesarani
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma