Bilateral Spontaneous Hemotympanum Secondary to Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Objective To present a case of spontaneous, bilateral hemotympanum secondary to chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Methods Case report and review of the literature. Results Bilateral spontaneous hemotympanum is an exceedingly rare event. We present the first case of nontraumatic bilateral hemotympanum secondary to chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia. The patient presented with a 7-day history of progressive bilateral hearing loss and a platelet count of 10 × 109/L after receiving his first dose of induction chemotherapy. A small, left-sided subdural hematoma was present in this patient though no extra-aural sources of bleeding to explain the bilateral hemotympanum were identified. Conclusion Full resolution of symptoms was achieved with conservative management.