The Tullio phenomenon describes the precipitation of vertigo and nystagmus by a loud noise.
Pathology
Etiology
The tympanic membrane and ossicular chain must be intact with a mobile footplate. It may be seen in several situations:
- Ménière disease
- superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome
- perilymphatic fistula
- congenital syphilis with a semicircular canal fistula
- post-fenestration surgery if the footplate is mobile
History and etymology
First described in pigeons by Pietro Tullio (1881-1941) 3, Italian physiologist in 1929 2.