Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel
We describe three patients diagnosed with bilateral vestibular dysfunction associated with the jet propellant type-eight (JP-8) fuel exposure. Chronic exposure to aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are the main constituents of JP-8 military aircraft jet fuel, occurred over 3–5 years’ duratio...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2018-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fneur.2018.00351/full |
| _version_ | 1819065783135764480 |
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| author | Terry D. Fife Michael J. A. Robb Kristen K. Steenerson Kamala C. Saha |
| author_facet | Terry D. Fife Michael J. A. Robb Kristen K. Steenerson Kamala C. Saha |
| author_sort | Terry D. Fife |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We describe three patients diagnosed with bilateral vestibular dysfunction associated with the jet propellant type-eight (JP-8) fuel exposure. Chronic exposure to aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are the main constituents of JP-8 military aircraft jet fuel, occurred over 3–5 years’ duration while working on or near the flight line. Exposure to toxic hydrocarbons was substantiated by the presence of JP-8 metabolite n-hexane in the blood of one of the cases. The presenting symptoms were dizziness, headache, fatigue, and imbalance. Rotational chair testing confirmed bilateral vestibular dysfunction in all the three patients. Vestibular function improved over time once the exposure was removed. Bilateral vestibular dysfunction has been associated with hydrocarbon exposure in humans, but only recently has emphasis been placed specifically on the detrimental effects of JP-8 jet fuel and its numerous hydrocarbon constituents. Data are limited on the mechanism of JP-8-induced vestibular dysfunction or ototoxicity. Early recognition of JP-8 toxicity risk, cessation of exposure, and customized vestibular therapy offer the best chance for improved balance. Bilateral vestibular impairment is under-recognized in those chronically exposed to all forms of jet fuel. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T15:51:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a50a4d5f17b041c8bbcbffb915093cb3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T15:51:57Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj.art-a50a4d5f17b041c8bbcbffb915093cb32022-12-21T18:58:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952018-05-01910.3389/fneur.2018.00351371309Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet FuelTerry D. Fife0Michael J. A. Robb1Kristen K. Steenerson2Kamala C. Saha3Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesRobb Oto-Neurology Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesStanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United StatesBarrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesWe describe three patients diagnosed with bilateral vestibular dysfunction associated with the jet propellant type-eight (JP-8) fuel exposure. Chronic exposure to aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are the main constituents of JP-8 military aircraft jet fuel, occurred over 3–5 years’ duration while working on or near the flight line. Exposure to toxic hydrocarbons was substantiated by the presence of JP-8 metabolite n-hexane in the blood of one of the cases. The presenting symptoms were dizziness, headache, fatigue, and imbalance. Rotational chair testing confirmed bilateral vestibular dysfunction in all the three patients. Vestibular function improved over time once the exposure was removed. Bilateral vestibular dysfunction has been associated with hydrocarbon exposure in humans, but only recently has emphasis been placed specifically on the detrimental effects of JP-8 jet fuel and its numerous hydrocarbon constituents. Data are limited on the mechanism of JP-8-induced vestibular dysfunction or ototoxicity. Early recognition of JP-8 toxicity risk, cessation of exposure, and customized vestibular therapy offer the best chance for improved balance. Bilateral vestibular impairment is under-recognized in those chronically exposed to all forms of jet fuel.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fneur.2018.00351/fullJP-8jet propulsion fuel-8JP-8 jet fuelbilateral vestibular dysfunctionototoxicityvestibulotoxicity |
| spellingShingle | Terry D. Fife Michael J. A. Robb Kristen K. Steenerson Kamala C. Saha Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel Frontiers in Neurology JP-8 jet propulsion fuel-8 JP-8 jet fuel bilateral vestibular dysfunction ototoxicity vestibulotoxicity |
| title | Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel |
| title_full | Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel |
| title_fullStr | Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel |
| title_short | Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Exposure to Military Jet Propellant Type-Eight Jet Fuel |
| title_sort | bilateral vestibular dysfunction associated with chronic exposure to military jet propellant type eight jet fuel |
| topic | JP-8 jet propulsion fuel-8 JP-8 jet fuel bilateral vestibular dysfunction ototoxicity vestibulotoxicity |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fneur.2018.00351/full |
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