Quantitative Measurements of Eye Movements in a Patient with Tullio Phenomenon

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rottach, Klaus G.^a | von Maydell, Regina D.^a | DiScenna, Alfred O.^a | Zivotofsky, Ari Z.^b | Averbuch-Heller, Lea^a | Leigh, R. John^{a; b; c; d; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Neurology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio | [b] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio | [c] Department of Otolaryngology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio | [d] Department of Neuroscience, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Note: [*] Reprint address: R. John Leigh, M.D., Department of Neurology, University Hospitals, 2074 Abington Road, Cleveland, OH 44106. Tel: (216) 844-3190; Fax: (216) 844-3160; E-mail: rj14@po.cwru.edu

Abstract: The Tullio phenomenon consists of vestibular symptoms on exposure to high-intensity acoustic stimuli, reflecting pathological stimulation of semicircular canals or otoliths. We report a patient with posttraumatic Tullio phenomenon to illustrate how precise measurement of eye movements during auditory stimulation, using the magnetic search coil technique, may characterize movements that are not clinically apparent or easily measured by other means. Such measurements in patients with surgically verified lesions may further elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon.

Keywords: Tullio phenomenon, nystagmus, perilymph fistula, magnetic search coil

DOI: 10.3233/VES-1996-6404

Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 255-259, 1996