Robert Gürkov1, Leonardo Manzari2, Alexander Blödow3, Angela Wenzel4, Dusan Pavlovic5, Leonal Luis6. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. robert.guerkov@med.uni-muenchen.de. 2. MSA ENT Academy Centre Cassino, Cassino, Italy. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helios-Klinik Pirna, Pirna, Germany. 4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. 5. Hearing and Balance Centre Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. 6. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centro Academico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) is a debilitating disorder characterized by the hypofunction of both vestibular end organs or nerves. The most frequent identifiable causes of BVP are ototoxic drug effects, infectious and autoimmune disorders. The majority of cases, however, remain idiopathic. METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with idiopathic BVP were examined in five dizziness clinics. RESULTS: We identified 126 patients with "idiopathic" BVP. Out of these, 15 patients had a history of Amiodarone treatment before the diagnosis of BVP, resulting in a 12% prevalence. CONCLUSION: The present report supports the hypothesis that Amiodarone can cause BVP. Vestibular examination in patients taking Amiodarone and suffering from balance-related symptoms are recommended, to recognize this adverse effect as early as possible and allow for an informed judgement on a potential dose reduction or withdrawal for recovery of the vestibular function.
BACKGROUND:Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) is a debilitating disorder characterized by the hypofunction of both vestibular end organs or nerves. The most frequent identifiable causes of BVP are ototoxic drug effects, infectious and autoimmune disorders. The majority of cases, however, remain idiopathic. METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with idiopathic BVP were examined in five dizziness clinics. RESULTS: We identified 126 patients with "idiopathic" BVP. Out of these, 15 patients had a history of Amiodarone treatment before the diagnosis of BVP, resulting in a 12% prevalence. CONCLUSION: The present report supports the hypothesis that Amiodarone can cause BVP. Vestibular examination in patients taking Amiodarone and suffering from balance-related symptoms are recommended, to recognize this adverse effect as early as possible and allow for an informed judgement on a potential dose reduction or withdrawal for recovery of the vestibular function.
Authors: Andrew E Epstein; Brian Olshansky; Gerald V Naccarelli; John I Kennedy; Elizabeth J Murphy; Nora Goldschlager Journal: Am J Med Date: 2015-11-11 Impact factor: 4.965