Audiogram Bone-Conduction Testing Induced Seizure in Patient with Traumatic Brain Injury

In this case report, we discuss a patient who presented with Tullio’s phenomenon, who also experienced bone-conduction induced seizures on two occasions. Tullio’s phenomenon refers to sound induced vestibular symptoms, including disequilibrium oscillopsia, and vertical nystagmus. We were ultimately able to rule out some of the more common pathologies associated with Tullio’s phenomenon for this patient based on imaging findings. However, given the specific nature of her chronic symptoms, as well as her seizure like activity in clinic, we performed a literature search to investigate other less common pathologies associated with Tullio’s phenomenon. Given her past medical history of mixed psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), there is likely a somatic component to her presentation. However, given the specific and unexpected nature of these events, we propose that her symptoms may also be related to a unique inner ear pathology. Specifically, we feel that she may have exhibited symptoms of vestibular atelectasis, a relatively new otologic diagnosis characterizing the pathologic collapse of the ampulla and utricle, such that the membranous labyrinth contacts the stapes. In this way, loud sounds or changes in pressure may induce vestibular symptoms. Dizzy patients can be a difficult demographic to diagnose and manage, especially when their presentation is complicated by other functional neurologic disorders. Ultimately, we believe that this case report offers helpful insights into a new disease process associated with Tullio’s phenomenon.

A Rare Case of Tarceva Resulting in Tympanic Membrane Necrosis

Objective: To report a novel case of Tarceva? treatment for small cell lung carcinoma resulting in tympanic membrane necrosis. Patient: A 49-year-old male with tympanic membrane necrosis and presumed resistant acute otitis externa and chronic inflammation of the left ear. Patient is status post chemotherapy and radiation diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in December 2008 with on-going therapy with Tarceva? for residual disease. Intervention: Tympanoplasty of left ear. Results: Improvement of symptoms of irritation and improvement of hearing and speech reception thresholds. All acid fast bacilli, fungal and bacterial cultures of the intra-op specimen were negative. Conclusions: The possibility that long term Tarceva? therapy could have caused the tympanic membrane necrosis and acute otitis media like symptoms is feasible since Tarceva? is an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. Upon activation of EGFRs it undergoes a transition from inactive monomeric form to active homodimer or hertodimer with another member of the ErbB receptor family. This then initiates several signal transduction cascades, leading to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Activation of the receptor is important in the innate immune response in human skin. Some of the common side effects include an aceiform skin rash but this is the first reported link between tympanic membrane necrosis and Tarceva?.