Vestibular migraine: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We performed a narrative review of the recent findings in epidemiology, clinical presentation, mechanisms and treatment of vestibular migraine. RECENT FINDINGS: Vestibular migraine is an underdiagnosed condition that has a high prevalence among general, headache and neuro-otology clinics. Vestibular migraine has a bimodal presentation probably associated with a hormonal component in women. These patients could have a complex clinical phenotype including concomitant autonomic, inflammatory or connective tissue conditions that have a higher prevalence of psychological symptoms, which may mistakenly lead to a diagnosis of a functional neurological disorder. A high proportion of patients with postural perceptual persistent dizziness have a migraine phenotype. Independently of the clinical presentation and past medical history, patients with the vestibular migraine phenotype can respond to regular migraine preventive treatments, including those targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide pathways. SUMMARY: Vestibular migraine is an underdiagnosed migraine phenotype that shares the pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine, with growing interest in recent years. A thorough anamnesis is essential to increase sensitivity in patients with unknown cause of dizziness and migraine treatment should be considered (see supplemental video-abstract).

Effects of the Kahramanmaras, Turkey 2023 earthquakes on balance perception, dizziness and post-traumatic stress: A relational screening model between subjective balance problems and post-traumatic stress.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey and recurrent aftershocks on balance and post-traumatic stress in surviving victims. METHODS: Our study included 1004 participants aged 18-65 years who were exposed to the February 6 earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey. After obtaining online consent from all participants, the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI), and the Posttraumatic Post-Traumatic Disorder Checklist Scale (PCL-5) were administered online, and the interactions between the variable sets were examined using a correlational screening model. RESULTS: As a result of the structural equation model established with the observed variables, it was found that VSS total scores had a statistically significant positive effect on PCL-5 (ß1 = 0.56; p = 0.001 < 0.05). In addition, statistically significant positive high-level correlations were found between VSS and DHI (covVSS-DHI = 0.71), and a positive low level correlation with the number of days with dizziness (covVSS-number of days with dizziness = 0.34), and a positive low level correlation with frequency of days with dizziness (covVSS-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.37). A statistically significant positive low-level relationship was found between DHI and the number of days with dizziness (covDHI-number of days with dizziness = 0.34) and a positive low-level correlation between DHI and the frequency of days with dizziness (covDHI-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.29). CONCLUSION: The structural equation modeling analysis showed that post-traumatic stress disorder had a significant effect on balance and dizziness.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: A functional neuro-otologic disorder.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a functional neuro-otologic disorder that is the most frequent cause of chronic vestibular syndrome. The core vestibular symptoms include dizziness, unsteadiness, and non-spinning vertigo, which are exacerbated by an upright posture or walking, active or passive motion, and exposure to moving or complex visual stimuli. PPPD is mostly precipitated by acute or episodic vestibular diseases; however, its symptoms cannot be accounted for by its precipitants. PPPD is not a diagnosis of exclusion, but may coexist with other structural diseases. Thus, when diagnosing PPPD, the patient's symptoms must be explained by PPPD alone or by PPPD in combination with a structural illness. PPPD is most frequently observed at approximately 50 years of age, with a female predominance. Conventional vestibular tests do not reveal any specific signs of PPPD. However, the head roll-tilt subjective visual vertical test and gaze stability test after exposure to moving visual stimuli may detect the characteristic features of PPPD, that is, somatosensory- and visually-dependent spatial orientation, respectively. Therefore, these tests could be used as diagnostic tools for PPPD. Regarding the pathophysiology of PPPD, neuroimaging studies suggest shifts in interactions among visuo-vestibular, sensorimotor, and emotional networks, where visual inputs dominate over vestibular inputs. Postural control also shifts, leading to the stiffening of the lower body. To treat PPPD, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, vestibular rehabilitation, and cognitive behavioral therapy are used alone or in combination.

Differences in semicircular canal function in the video head impulse test in patients in the chronic stage of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo and vestibular neuritis.

BACKGROUND: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo (SHLV) and vestibular neuritis (VN) can result in prolonged dizziness. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the video head impulse test (vHIT) of patients with SHLV and VN. METHODS: Fifteen patients with SHLV and 21 patients with VN who visited the Vertigo/Dizziness Center of our hospital between December 2016 and February 2023 were included. vHIT was performed at the time of admission, and the VOR gain and catch up saccade (CUS) in the three types of semicircular canals (SCCs) were analyzed. RESULTS: Pathologic vHIT results were observed most frequently in the posterior SCC (73%), followed by lateral (53%) and anterior (13%) SCCs in the SHLV group. In contrast, pathologic vHIT results were observed most frequently in the lateral SCC (100%), followed by the anterior (43%) and posterior SCC (24%) SCCs in the VN group. Pathological vHIT results in the lateral and posterior SCC showed significant differences between the two groups, but for anterior SCC, no significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Comparison of the two vHIT results revealed differences in the SCC dysfunction patterns. This may be due to the different pathophysiological mechanisms of the two vestibular disorders, which may result in prolonged vertigo.

Usefulness of thermography for differentiating Wallenberg's syndrome from noncentral vertigo in the acute phase.

OBJECTIVES: Wallenberg's syndrome (WS) is caused by a stroke in the lateral medulla and can present with various symptoms. One of the main symptoms is vertigo, which can be misdiagnosed as noncentral vertigo (NCV). Approximately 90% of the patients with acute WS have a lateral difference in body surface temperature (BST) due to autonomic pathway disturbances from infarction. Additionally, thermography can aid in WS diagnosis; however, whether BST differences occur in patients with acute NCV is unclear. METHODS: This study used thermography to measure the BST of patients with NCV and acute WS to determine the effectiveness of BST to differentiate between the conditions. Forty-eight consecutive patients diagnosed with NCV whose BST was measured using thermography during a hospital visit or admission were enrolled. The left and right BST of four sites (face, trunk, and upper and lower limbs) were measured and compared with obtained BST of nine patients with WS. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients had lateral differences in BST ≥ 0.5°C, three with ≥1.5°C, and none with ≥2.5°C. Only one patient with NCV had lateral differences in BST at two or more ipsilateral sites. When WS differentiated from NCV, a left-right difference ≥0.5°C in two or more ipsilateral sites had a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 98%, and ≥1.0°C had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 98%. DISCUSSION: Acute WS can be differentiated from NCV through BST and the number of sites with lateral differences via thermography, even in rooms where conditions are unregulated.

Hearing loss in Takayasu's arteritis.

OBJECTIVES: Neurosensory hearing loss is well-documented in chronic autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the literature lacks data on the prevalence and characteristics of hearing impairment in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). In this cross-sectional study, our principal objective was to systematically assess the auditory function of individuals diagnosed with TAK, against SLE patients and healthy controls (HC). METHODS: Age and gender matched TAK and SLE patients followed up in a tertiary centre along with healthy controls were included in a two-phase study. In the first phase, a questionnaire on ENT symptoms was administered to the patient (TAK: n=104 and SLE: n= 151) and HC (n=174) groups. In the second phase, patients (TAK: n=53 and SLE: n=33) and HC (n=45) underwent audiometric tests. RESULTS: The questionnaire survey revealed that both TAK and SLE patients reported hearing loss (27.9%, 25.8%, 7.4%, p<0.001), tinnitus (49%, 35.8%, 13.8%, p<0.001) and vertigo (46.2%, 33.8%, 16.7%, p<0.001) at significantly higher rates than HC. Audiometry results indicated that both TAK (30.2%) and SLE patients (18.2%) had increased hearing loss compared to HC (8.9%), however, only TAK patients were found to have significantly increased risk in age adjusted logistic regression analysis (OR= 3.915, 95%CI: 1.179-12.998, p=0.026). Hearing loss was mainly neurosensory in all groups. TAK patients were affected at both low (<6000 Hz) and high (>6000 Hz) frequencies, whereas SLE patients were affected only at high frequencies. Hearing loss was significantly associated only with older age. No association was observed with the anatomical location of vascular involvement or history of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals an increased prevalence of hearing loss in TAK. Further research is crucial to uncover the underlying causes.

cVEMP and VAT for the diagnosis of vestibular migraine.

BACKGROUND: Although the diagnostic criteria of vestibular migraine (VM) have already been defined, various clinical manifestations of VM and the lack of pathognomonic biomarker result in high rate of misdiagnosis and mismanagement. A timely and accurate diagnosis tool for the evaluation of VM is highly needed. OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to investigate the potential feasibility of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) and vestibular autorotation test (VAT) as a diagnosis tool for VM. METHODS: A total of 211 subjects were recruited into the current study with all subjects meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: healthy control group, general migraine group and VM group. Test of cVEMP and VAT was conducted in all the groups, and the generated data were statistically compared. RESULTS: Compared with the other two groups, cVEMP P13-N23 amplitudes of VM patients showed a significant decline. Mean latency values of the VM group had no significant difference in comparison with other groups. Asymmetry ratios showed increased level in VM patients compared to the control groups, without significant difference. VAT results showed that all the horizontal gain, horizontal phase, vertical gain and vertical phase differ from the other two groups to varying degrees at higher frequency. CONCLUSION: cVEMP and VAT have potential usage in the assessment of VM and can serve as powerful tool in diagnosis of VM.

Triple semicircular canal occlusion: a surgical perspective with short- and long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the short- and long-term outcomes of triple semicircular canal occlusion as a potential alternative for patients with intractable Ménière's disease. METHODS: A retrospective case series was performed in university settings, enrolling patients with intractable Ménière's disease with previous maximum treatment, who underwent transmastoid, triple semicircular canal occlusion. The study documented: pre- and post-operative Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores at six weeks and one year post-treatment, pure tone audiometry, and surgical aspects. RESULTS: Two female patients, aged 42 and 65 years, underwent unilateral three-semicircular-canal occlusion. Their respective Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores improved from 88 to 68 and 54 to 30 at six weeks post-operatively, with scores of 66 and 0 at one year post-treatment. The one patient with pre-existing functional hearing maintained her hearing threshold post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Triple semicircular canal occlusion is a safe, hearing-preserving, extracranial alternative technique that can control rotatory vertigo in patients with intractable Ménière's disease, when other measures have failed.

The therapeutic effect and mechanism of Chinese medicine Xuan-Yun-Ding on posterior circulation ischemia with vertigo in a rabbit model.

The aim of research is to unveil the mechanisms of the beneficial effects of XYD on PCIV in a rabbit model. 40 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups,including normal control group (NC), model control group (MC), low-dose of XYD group (LXYD), high-dose of XYD group (HXYD) and Yang-Xue-Qin-Nao group (YXQN). PCIV rabbit model was established by feeding high-fat diet companied with paravertebral sclerotherapy and rotation exercise. The general observation, step-down test, rheoencephalogram, blood tests, histopathological detection and the plasma concentration of the effective component of XYD were investigated. After pharmacological intervening, the step-down time, REG, PL, IPL, blood viscosity, the levels of blood lipids, CRGP were significantly improved. Moreover, the vertebral artery showed the reduced stenosis of arterial lumen and less proliferation of fibrous tissue in the arterial wall in the LXYD, HXYD and YXQN group. Based on the LC-MS detection, the blood concentrations of puerarin in the LXYD and HXYD group were significantly increased after pharmacological intervening. XYD could ameliorate the symptoms of vertigo, Qi-deficiency and blood stasis in PCIV rabbits via effectively regulating the levels of blood lipids and vasoactive substances, decreasing blood viscosity, increasing CBF and protecting vestibular function.

Advantages of Short-term Personalized Vestibular Rehabilitation at Home Guided by Professional Therapist for Treatment of Decompensated Vestibular Vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: Patients suffered a lot from decompensated vestibular vertigo. Pharmacotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation training have been proven to be effective in prompting vestibular compensation. Routine rehabilitation training is faced with the challenges of patients' compliance, completion, the average recuperation time and so on. This study is aimed to investigate advantages of short-term personalized vestibular rehabihitation at home guided by professional therapist. METHODS: A short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation program (ST-PVR) was designed for patients with decompensated vestibular vertigo in this study. RESULTS: Patients experiencing the ST-PVR program showed significant improvement of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) scores by the second follow-up (at 2nd week after treatment, P<0.05). However-improvement in the medication group occurred slightly later, DHI for 1 month and SAS for 2 months after treatment (P<0.05). Also, the improvement in the onset time of unilateral weakness (UW) at 2nd week after treatment in the personalized vestibular rehabilitation (PVR) group was faster than that in the medication group. CONCLUSION: In general, the short-term PVR program showed great advantages by prompting vestibular compensation quickly and putting forward future direction for clinical treatment on decompensated vestibular vertigo.

Evaluation of Vestibular Function in Diagnosis of Vestibular Schwannomas.

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors of the vestibular nerve. The common first symptoms are hearing loss and tinnitus, followed by imbalance, vertigo, and facial nerve involvement. The subjective symptoms of VS patients are not consistent with the severity of vestibular lesions and the results of vestibular tests, which often interfere with clinicians' diagnoses. Thus, the main screening and diagnostic methods for VS are audiometry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ignoring the evaluation of vestibular function at the source of pathological lesions. With the development and improvement of vestibular evaluation technology and its wide application in the clinic, modern vestibular examination technology can reflect the severity and frequency of vestibular lesions and compensation from multiple perspectives, providing an objective basis for the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular diseases. In this report, we review the results and characteristics of vestibular tests in VS patients and further clarify the clinical value of vestibular function assessment in the diagnosis and treatment of VS.

Age adjusted normative data for Video Head Impulse Test in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the effect of age in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain measured by Video Head Impulse Test (VHIT) and to present normative data of VOR gain, median gain at 40, 60, 80 and 0-100 ms, and gain asymmetry according to decades of life in healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 132 subjects with no previous history of vestibular disorders were enrolled to assess VOR gain by employing VHIT. The test was performed in the X-axis evaluating both horizontal semicircular canals (HSC). The same right-handed operator performed the test in all subjects. RESULTS: The mean VOR gain was higher in the right ear (0.99 ± 0.09) compared to the left ear (0.97 ± 0.08) (p = 0.001). Median gain at 60 ms was 0.92 ± 0.12 in the right HSC and 0.93 ± 0.10 for the left HSC, without significant difference (p = 0.94). A significant decrease of VOR gain occurred with increasing age in the right ear (r = -0.21, p = 0.01). Median gain at 60 ms decreased significantly as age increased in both HSC (right r = -0.17, p = 0.04; left r = -0.23, p = 0.006). No significant differences in VOR gain values were observed when the sample was stratified by age according to the analysis of variance. CONCLUSIONS: A slight but significant decrease in VOR function was observed as age increased for gain and median gain at 60 ms. Larger studies, including patients with central and peripheral vestibular disorders, are needed to assess the clinical implication of this effect when evaluating patients with vestibular disorders.

Differences in responsiveness of intratympanic steroid injection for intractable vertigo in Meniere's disease.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of intratympanic steroid (ITS) injection for intractable Meniere's disease has been reported; however, its differences in responsiveness are not fully understood. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of patients who responded to ITS injection treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study included 32 patients with Meniere's disease who were unable to control frequent vertigo attacks despite conservative treatment for at least 3 months. They received an intratympanic injection of dexamethasone (3.3 mg/mL) in the affected side at least three times. We measured hearing threshold, subjective symptom scores, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP and oVEMP), and performed glycerol and bithermal caloric tests. RESULTS: Satisfactory control of vertigo for 1 year after the first round of injection was found in 18 patients (56.3%; the response group). However, the injections failed to control vertigo in the other 14 patients (43.8%; the non-response group), and they were then treated with middle ear micropressure therapy. The response group showed improvement in low-frequency hearing, whereas hearing acuity did not change in the non-response group. Significantly reduced amplitude of cVEMP on the affected side was found in 62.5% of patients in the response group; however, no patients in the non-response group showed reduced amplitude of cVEMP. CONCLUSIONS: ITS injection significantly improved the subjective symptoms for intractable Meniere's disease; however, the long-term effects were heterogeneous. Our results suggest that reduced amplitude in cVEMP is associated with the effectiveness of ITS injection treatment.

Intratympanic gentamicin injection for refractory ménière's disease (MD) has potential effect in preventing contralateral MD occurrence.

BACKGROUND: Ménière's disease (MD), characterized by episodic vertigo attacks and fluctuating progressive hearing loss, is treated by low-dose intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) injections. Whether ITG causes hearing loss is controversial, and knowledge about its effects on the contralateral hearing and vestibular function is lacking. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of ITG on bilateral auditory and otolith organ function in patients with unilateral refractory MD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 30 patients was collected, including history, and pure tone audiometry and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) results before and one month after ITG treatment. Changes in vertigo were assessed at a two-year follow-up. RESULTS: One month after ITG injection, auditory thresholds between 125 Hz and 8 kHz on the injection side remained unchanged but have improved on the contralateral side at 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 1 kHz. The cervical and ocular VEMP solicitation rates on the injection side were lower than before the injection. Two years after treatment, vertigo was improved in 88.5% and complete controlled in 76.7% patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The intractable vertigo of MD can be effectively controlled by ITG injection. This can improve the low and medium frequency hearing level in the contralateral ear, suggesting that it might help prevent contralateral MD occurrence.

Transient Vestibular Symptoms Preceding Posterior Circulation Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The recognition of clinical features of transient vestibular symptoms (TVSs) preceding posterior circulation stroke (PCOS) would be informative to discriminate dizziness/vertigo due to vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack from the acute transient vestibular syndrome. We sought to determine the prevalence and characteristics of TVSs preceding PCOS. METHODS: We performed a prospective multicenter observational study that had recruited 447 patients with PCOS from referral-based 4 university hospitals in Korea. We investigated the timing, pattern, frequency, duration, and accompanying neurological symptoms of TVSs during the 3 months preceding PCOS. RESULTS: The prevalence of TVSs preceding PCOS was 12% (55/447) during the previous 3 months. The TVSs preceding PCOS occurred within 1 week (33%), between 1 week and 1 month (16%), or between 1 and 3 months (51%). The TVSs were mostly dizziness/vertigo with (36%) or without (60%) imbalance, while the remaining 4% had an isolated imbalance. The dizziness/vertigo was spinning in 38% and was aggravated during head position in 45%. The duration of TVSs was mostly a few seconds (55%) or minutes (38%). Approximately 72% of the patients with PCOS had TVSs 1 to 5 times, while 16% had >10 times. Accompanying neurological symptoms, including headache, tinnitus, limb weakness, sensory change, dysarthria, visual field defect, and diplopia, were reported in 11%. CONCLUSIONS: Preceding TVSs can occur in 12% of PCOS during the previous 3 months. Isolated dizziness/vertigo of unknown cause needs to be considered as a vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack symptom, especially in patients with vascular risk factors. The characteristics of isolated vestibular symptom in vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks is highly variable and atypical compared with other transient ischemic symptoms.

Migraine Features in Patients with Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence of migraine features in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). METHODS: In a retrospective survey study, consecutive patients presenting to a tertiary care neurotology clinic during an 18-month period were given questionnaires about headache and dizziness symptoms. The survey responses plus history and examination of the patient were used to diagnose patients with PPPD. The prevalence of migraine headache, vestibular migraine (VM), and migraine characteristics was evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 36 subjects with PPPD were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 56 ± 16 years with a female (72%) predominance. A total of 19 (53%) patients met the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for migraine headache, and 6 of those (17%) met the criteria for definite VM. Of the patients who did not meet full migraine headache criteria, 6 (17%) patients met 4 of 5 criteria, and 5 (14%) patients met 3 of 5 criteria. There was no significant difference between PPPD patients who fulfilled full migraine headache criteria and those who did not in sensitivity to light, sound, smells, weather changes, feelings of mental fog/confusion, and sinus pain/facial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a majority of patients with PPPD fulfill the criteria for migraine headache. A large proportion of PPPD patients who do not meet the full criteria for migraine headache still meet a majority of the migraine headache criteria. This suggests an association between the 2 conditions. PPPD may be a part of the spectrum of otologic migraine, where migraine manifests as otologic symptoms.

Compensatory image of the stability of people with multiple sclerosis and atrial vertigo based on posturography examination.

Pathophysiology of balance disorders due to multiple sclerosis (MS) and atrial vertigo (AV) is different. We evaluated posture stability when maintaining balance in people with MS presenting symptoms of ataxia and those with AV. We included 45 women (15 with MS; 15 with AV; 15 controls). A posturography platform was used to measure balance parameters. To characterize the image of stability and the compensation of balance disorders, the surface area of the stabilogram (SAS), vision control index (VCI) and the vision-motion control index (VMCI) were used. The stability image of people with MS and AV with eyes open (p = 0.002), with eyes closed (p = 0.080) and with visual biofeedback (p = 0.0008) differed significantly. SAS depended on visual biofeedback regardless of the occurrence of balance disorders and was the basis for determining the compensatory share of vision-motor coordination. Differences in VCI between groups were insignificant. VMCI was significantly higher in people with balance disorders than in those without, but similar in the MS and AV groups. The image of stability is different in people with MS and AV. Thanks to visual biofeedback, it becomes possible to launch effective vision-motor coordination when compensating balance disorders. VCI may become the measure of compensation for balance disorders.

Efficacy of Yokukansan, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, in patients with dizziness and irritability.

OBJECTIVE: Irritability is an emotional stress symptom that causes or exacerbates dizziness. Antidepressants may be helpful for some conditions that are accompanied by irritability; however, they do not completely inhibit irritability. Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, has been used for neurosis, insomnia, and children's irritability and night crying. The study investigated the efficacy of YKS in nystagmus in patients with chronic dizziness and irritability. METHODS: Twenty-two cases with chronic dizziness and irritability were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: control patients (0-7 days of treatment) and YKS-treated patients (YKS cases; >7 days of treatment). Dizziness before and during (after, in the controls) YKS treatment was evaluated by scoring the nystagmus intensity on a 5-point scale. The average scores were calculated within a maximum of 6 months before and during or after treatment. The normalized scores were also calculated. The optimal treatment regimen was calculated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: There were six control cases (1 male, 5 females; mean age: 59.5 years). There were 16 YKS cases (3 males, 13 females; mean age: 61.8 years). While the group mean nystagmus intensity scores significantly decreased from 1.18 to 0.73 in the YKS cases, it did not change in the control cases. The group mean of the normalized nystagmus intensity scores during treatment was 0.73 in the YKS cases. The results of the ROC curve analysis indicated the optimal cut-off period of the YKS treatment was 10 days. CONCLUSION: The oral administration of YKS for more than 10 days was optimal. The treatments with YKS could be a good option for the treatments of vertigo.

Clinical characteristics and correlation between hearing outcomes after different episodes of recurrent idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a rare disease. In this study, we evaluated the correlations between hearing recovery after the first and recurrent episodes of ISSNHL and characterized the clinical features of different episodes of ISSNHL. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical records pertaining to the period 2008-2018. A total of 30 patients (16 male, 14 female) who had experienced at least two episodes of ISSNHL were included. All patients were had received steroid therapy (including systemic and IT) and/or hyperbaric oxygen therapy within 2 weeks after the onset of disease. The SDRG's criteria was used for the grading of hearing recovery. RESULTS: The median age at the first and second episode of ISSNHL was 48 and 53.5 years, respectively; a total of 30% of patients presented with vertigo in the first episode and 40% presented with vertigo in the second episode. The hearing outcomes of both episodes showed significant improvement after treatment. The rate of complete recovery after the first and second episodes was 46.67% and 33.33%, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between the treatment outcomes of the first and second episodes (r = 0.721, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In ISSNHL, hearing recovery after a recurrent episode is significantly correlated with the hearing outcome after the initial episode (p = 0.042). The treatment outcome of the first episode is a prognostic factor for the outcomes of recurrent episodes.