Glossary of Terms in Otolaryngology

Tumarkin’s Otolithic Crisis

  • Tumarkin’s Otolithic Crisis, also known as a drop attack, is a feature that is sometimes seen in advanced Meniere’s Disease.1
  • Drop attacks are characterized by a sudden fall without a prodrome or loss of consciousness. There are no associated neurological symptoms or physical examination findings.
  • The true cause of Tumarkin’s crisis is unknown, but is thought to be due to sudden changes in endoylmphatic fluid pressure resulting in aberrant vestibular stimulation.

  1. Black, F. Owen, Morris Z. Effron, and Denise S. Burns. “Diagnosis and management of drop attacks of vestibular origin: Tumarkin’s otolithic crisis.” Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery 90.2 (1982): 256-262. ↩

Last updated September 29, 2022
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