Ototoxicity of Topical Neomycin Augmented by Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Abstract

A 9-year-old white girl with extensive dermatomyositis developed numerous shallow skin ulcerations concomitantly with calcinosis universalis. Following treatment of the skin with a variety of topical ointments she suffered complete loss of eighth cranial nerve function with total deafness, vertigo, and nystagmus. Careful review of the topical medications suggests that the cranial nerve damage was due to neomycin toxicity which resulted from increased cutaneous absorption brought about by dimethyl sulfoxide.