Netilmicin treatment followed by monitoring of vestibular and auditory function using highly sensitive methods

Auditory and vestibular function was monitored in 30 patients treated with netilmicin for urinary tract infection. During and after the treatment, no signs or symptoms appeared that could be ascribed to an ototoxic effect of the drug. Routine acoustico-vestibular tests as well as advanced, objective acoustic tests revealed no signs of impairment of the labyrinth function. Results of highly sensitive vestibular tests in 15 patients including computerized analysis of the nystagmus responses to caloric tests were compared with results obtained from a sample of normal individuals. Some of the results varied significantly more in the netilmicin group than in the reference group. The most characteristic variation was a decreased reaction to hot water stimulation.