Tullio phenomenon

Tullio phenomenon, sound-induced vertigo, dizziness, nausea or eye movement (nystagmus) was first described in 1929 by the Italian biologist Prof. Pietro Tullio. (1881–1941)[1][2] During his experiments on pigeons, Tullio discovered that by drilling tiny holes in the semicircular canals of his subjects, he could subsequently cause them balance problems when exposed to sound.[citation needed]

The cause is usually a fistula in the middle or inner ear, allowing abnormal sound-synchronized pressure changes in the balance organs.[3] Such an opening may be caused by a barotrauma (e.g. incurred when diving or flying), or may be a side effect of fenestration surgery, syphilis or Lyme disease. Patients with this disorder may also experience vertigo, imbalance and eye movement set off by changes in pressure, e.g. when nose-blowing, swallowing or when lifting heavy objects.[citation needed]

Tullio phenomenon is also one of the common symptoms of superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS), first diagnosed in 1998 by Dr. Lloyd B. Minor, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States.[4]

References

  1. ^ Tullio, Pietro: Das Ohr und die Entstehung der Sprache und Schrift. Berlin, Germany: Urban & Schwarzenberg; 1929.
  2. ^ Tullio, Pietro: Some experiments and considerations on experimental otology and phonetics: A lecture delivered at the meeting of the "Società dei cultori delle scienze ... e naturali" of Cagliari on 1st, July 1929: L. Cappelli 1929 ASIN: B0008B2T6Y
  3. ^ Watson, R.D; et al. (8 February 2000). "Vestibular Hypersensitivity to sound". Neurology. 54 (3). Neurology.org: 722–8. doi:10.1212/WNL.54.3.722. PMID 10680810. S2CID 46019394.
  4. ^ Basura GJ, Cronin SJ, Heidenreich KD (2014). "Tullio phenomenon in superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome". Neurology. 82 (11): 1010. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000217. PMID 24638216.


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