Vestibulotoxicity as a consequence of systemically administered tobramycin in cystic fibrosis patients.

Conclusion. The reported prevalence of vestibulotoxicity (30.4%) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients supports vestibulotoxicity screening in CF patients during or after tobramycin exposure. Prospective longitudinal investigation is required for a more specific evidence-based proposal. Objective. To investigate the prevalence of tobramycin-induced vestibulotoxicity in CF patients, as it had not been investigated before. Patients and methods. In this observational cohort study, 23 CF patient volunteers from the Haga Teaching Hospital Adult CF centre who had been exposed to at least one treatment with systemically administered tobramycin were included. Subjective feelings of dizziness were measured using validated questionnaires and vestibular symptoms were assessed by physical examination. Electronystagmography (ENG) with caloric irrigation was used as the gold standard. Results. Peripheral vestibular loss was found in seven patients (7/23 = 30.4%). Central vestibular loss was found in one patient. Analysis of...