Short-lasting drop attacks in Meniere's disease.

OBJECTIVES: To study the vertigo attacks known as Tumarkin attacks or drop attacks (DA). DA are characterized by sudden loss of balance with or without falls but with preserved consciousness, and they are supposedly triggered by changes in the otolith function of Meniere's disease (MD).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Data from 243 consecutive MD patients were collected into a database of an otoneurologic expert system.

RESULTS: DA was experienced by 72% (n = 173) of the patients with MD. It correlated with visually provoked vertigo. Gait difficulties, tinnitus, and anxiety were more common in the DA group. Long lasting vertigo attacks were more frequently provoked in the DA subjects by physical strain (58% vs 14%), head movements or changes in head position (71% vs 48%), pressure changes (54% vs 12%), or rapid movements in visual surroundings (65% vs 35%) than in the non-DA subjects.

CONCLUSION: DA are common in MD patients. The abrupt occurrence of DA make them poorly tolerated.

SIGNIFICANCE: DA are more common in advanced MD.