Ototoxicity from organic solvents assessed by an inner ear test battery
Journal
Journal of Vestibular Research: Equilibrium and Orientation
Journal Volume
25
Journal Issue
3-4
Pages
177
Date Issued
2015-10-15
Author(s)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study adopted an inner ear test battery comprising audiometry, and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and caloric tests to assess inner ear function in patients with long term exposure to organic solvents. METHODS: Eighteen patients exposed to organic solvents and another 18 non-exposed controls from the same environment were enrolled in this study. Each subject underwent an inner ear test battery. RESULTS: The percentages of abnormalities identified by the oVEMP test, cVEMP test, audiometry and caloric test for the exposed group were 85%, 54%, 50% and 33%, respectively, which showed significant differences when compared with the respective 8%, 8%, 6% and 0 for the non-exposed group. Additionally, a significantly declining trend of inner ear deficits from the utricle to the saccule, cochlea, and semicircular canals was noted in the exposed group, but not in the non-exposed group. CONCLUSION: Ototoxicity was identified in those exposed to organic solvents, with the sequence of abnormal inner ear function from the utricle to the saccule, cochlea, and semicircular canals.
Subjects
Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential | Neurotoxicity | Ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential | Organic solvent | Ototoxicity | Toluene | Vestibulo-ocular reflex
Publisher
IOS PRESS
Type
journal article