Clinical otolaryngology and allied sciences
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Topical aminoglycoside ear drops are theoretically acknowledged to be potentially ototoxic when administered in the presence of a tympanic membrane perforation. Although the development of clinical ototoxicity appears to be rare, nine well-documented and incontrovertible cases (12 ears in total) of iatrogenic topical vestibulotoxicity are presented, representing the largest series in the English language world literature to date. ⋯ Further review of five previously reported cases in addition to the findings from another four patients identified with topical ototoxicity are described. Although compensation occurred in unilateral cases the disability in bilateral cases was typically severe and often resulted in litigation.