Tumarkin’s otolithic crisis
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Tumarkin’s otolithic crisis. These are sudden drop attacks associated with loss of muscle tone. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Clinical features
- These are sudden drop attacks associated with loss of muscle tone
- They occur as if the subject has been pushed
- The falls are always towards the same direction
- There is no associated vertigo or loss of consciousness
- There are no autonomic changes
- There may be associated limb spasms or jerks
Pathophysiology
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Causes
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Treatment
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References
- Brazis PW, Masdeu JC, Biller J. Localization in Clinical Neurology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Philadelphia 2007 pp315, 319.
- Ishiyama G, Ishiyama A, Jacobson K, Baloh R. Drop attacks in older patients secondary to an otologic cause. Neurology 2001; 57:1103-1106.
- Ishiyama G, Ishiyama A, Baloh RW. Drop attacks and vertigo secondary to a non-Meniere otologic cause. Arch Neurol 2003; 60:71-75.
- Tumarkin A. The otolithic catastrophe. A new syndrome. BMJ 1936; 1:175-177.
- Janzen VD, Russell RD. Conservative management of Tumarkin's otolithic crisis. J Otolaryngol 1988; 17:359-361.
