A Case of Binocular Vertical Diplopia after Intratympanic Gentamicin Therapy

Intratympanic gentamicin therapy is a useful alternative treatment for refractory Meniere’s disease and is generally well tolerated. Visual disturbances as side effects of this treatment are rarely reported in the literature. In this report we describe the case of a 52-year-old woman with refractory Meniere’s disease who developed binocular vertical diplopia following intratympanic gentamicin therapy. Spontaneous resolution of diplopia occurred within 2 weeks. The development of diplopia should be discussed as a potential complication with patients undergoing intratympanic gentamicin therapy. LEARNING POINTS: Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder which can cause vertigo and hearing loss. As medical treatment sometimes fails, other therapeutic options should be considered. Gentamycin chemical labyrinthectomy can be administered as an alternative treatment, but the development of diplopia should be discussed as a potential side effect.