Electroacupuncture Could Reduce Motion Sickness Susceptibility in Healthy Male Adults: A Double-Blinded Study.

Objective: Motion sickness is the main cause of nausea-related symptoms during passive motion in transportation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) for the reduction of motion sickness symptoms. Materials and Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned into three groups: Group A, therapeutic EA; Group B, sham EA; and group C, a control group. After an EA session, participants were exposed to a motion stimulus, using a rotating chair. Their symptoms were measured using the Greek version of the Gianaros Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ). Results: In this study 20 volunteers participated. All 3 groups of subjects showed increases in their motion sickness symptoms after exposure to the motion stimulus. The mean total symptom score for Group A was 59,375, for Group B it was 74,333, and in Group C was it 93,166. This difference is partially statistically significant when comparing Group A with Group C, especially in a peripheral group of symptoms, as measured by the Gianaros MSAQ. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that participants who received therapeutic EA prior to motion stimulation tended to have fewer motion sickness symptoms in comparison with their counterparts, who were not given any therapy.

Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version of the Gianaros Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) was developed in order to assess the multiple dimensions of the motion sickness syndrome (gastrointestinal, central nervous system, peripheral, and sopite-related symptoms). The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the MSAQ. METHODS: The MSAQ was translated into Greek and then translated back into English. Minor differences between the two texts were corrected. The Greek version was then administered to male subjects before and after nauseogenic motion stimulation. With the use of a motor driven rotating chair, the subjects were exposed to Coriolis cross-coupling stimulation. A battery of statistical tests was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the MSAQ. RESULTS: There were 112 subjects who participated. Internal consistency, measured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was excellent for the total scale and subscales. The test-retest evaluation was done with Pearson's coefficient and Bland-Altman's plot for the total score and subscales and showed statistically significant results. Mean total MSAQ score was 19.04 before the exposure and 33.46 after the exposure, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Results suggest the Greek-MSAQ is a valid instrument with satisfactory internal consistency, reliability, reproducibility, validity, and responsiveness and can be used in future studies of motion sickness in Greek speaking populations. Kousoulis P, Pantes A, Alevetsovitis G, Fydanaki O. Psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Gianaros Motion Sickness Assessment Questionaire. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(11):954-957.

Excessive paranasal sinuses and mastoid aeration as a possible cause of chronic headache.

The objective of this case report is to present a patient with chronic headache who was diagnosed with excessive aeration of all paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells using computed tomography imaging. The volume and linear measurements of all of the cavities revealed values greater than the greatest values reported in the literature. To date, this is the second reported case of excessive enlargement of all paranasal sinuses and the first which includes the enlargement of the mastoid air cells. No surgical intervention was required for the patient, but in similar cases, with more severe symptoms, surgical treatment is a challenge for the surgeon and may mandate a multidisciplinary approach.

Reversible facial nerve palsy due to parotid abscess.

INTRODUCTION: A facial nerve palsy combined with parotid enlargement usually suggests malignancy. It is highly unusual for facial nerve palsy to result from a benign situation such as inflammation or infection of the gland. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a rare case of facial nerve palsy due to parotid abscess. DISCUSSION: A literature search retrieved thirty-two cases of facial nerve palsy due to benign parotid lesions since 1969. Only nine reported the presence of a parotid abscess. The etiology of paralysis remains unknown although certain factors such as the virulence of the offending organisms or perineuritis, have been suggested. Best diagnostic evaluation and management are discussed. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, exclusion of malignancy is mandatory, as it represents the most common cause of facial palsy in the presence of a parotid lump.

Iatrogenic migration of an impacted pharyngeal foreign body of the hypopharynx to the prevertebral space.

Impaction of foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract is commonly encountered in ENT practice. The present paper describes an iatrogenic complication with migration of an impacted foreign body (chicken bone) of the hypopharynx into the prevertebral space, after unsuccessful attempt of endoscopic removal. The foreign body was visualized with cervical CT scan lying extraluminally between the major vessels of the neck. An open surgical procedure with neck exploration was necessary for the definite treatment.

The combined use of two RapidRhino packs instead of anteroposterior packing for the control of severe epistaxis.

Epistaxis is a common ear, nose, and throat emergency, and severe cases are traditionally controlled by the placement of anteroposterior nasal packing. In this article, a way of controlling severe epistaxis with the combination of two RapidRhino packs is described. Although not always successful, it is a technique that in the majority of patients can control severe bleeding faster, easier, with decreased pain, and increased patient comfort, compared to the traditional anteroposterior nasal packing.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection aids with the outcome of motion sickness adaptation.

INTRODUCTION: Airsickness affects many aviators, especially at the beginning of their flight training. From the symptoms of airsickness, stomach awareness and nausea are among the most common and unpleasant. Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa is a common cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population, although it has seldom been associated with motion sickness in the scientific literature. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in all cases of pilot trainees taking basic flight training who were referred to the Hellenic Air Force Aeromedical Center due to airsickness and tested for H. pylori, for the time period 1996-2005. We compared the H.-pylori-positive pilots with the uninfected ones according to their responses to the habituation sorties and subsequent completion of the basic flight training as a whole. A statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The findings of the study suggest that diagnosing H. pylori infection and treating it with eradication therapy increases the possibility of a pilot trainee successfully completing the habituation flights, while it does not affect success in the basic flight training as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication therapy for H. pylori may provide a temporary reduction in reported nausea during flight training. The findings are not conclusive, but highly suggestive of a pathophysiologic link between H. pylori and motion sickness, needing further clarification through targeted studies.

Superior thyroid cornu anatomical variation causing globus pharyngeous and Dysphagia.

Objective. Rare case presentation of thyroid cartilage variation causing globus sensation and dysphagia. Method. Case report and review of the literature concerning thyroid cartilage variant of clinical significance. Results. Middle-aged male patient presented with globus sensation and painful swallow without previous injury of the larynx. Clinical examination and diagnostic procedures revealed a rare anatomic aberrance of the thyroid cartilage. Surgical treatment was declined by the patient who accepted a yearly followup. Conclusion. Morphometric studies do not report the dislocation of the superior thyroid cornu, and very few cases have been described either of which were attributed to trauma or to unknown cause. The present case is to be added to the very few cases of superior thyroid cornu dislocation of unknown aetiology. Clinicians should be aware of this rare variation using CT neck as the imaging study of choice. Direct endoscopy rules out any synchronous disease or malignancies.

Does G force increase the incidence of varicocele in Air Force pilot cadets?

OBJECTIVE: Air Force pilots are subjected to acceleration (G) forces with a known effect upon the vascular system. Specific training and anti-G maneuvers are used to counteract this effect, and allow pilots to operate at the limits of human endurance. The objective of the present study is to determine whether acceleration affects the incidence of varicocele. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The incidence of varicocele during training in 234 Air Force pilots was assessed. Height, weight, BMI and testicular volume were recorded for every participant. A group of 35 pilots with an absence of varicocele, randomly selected, acted as the control group. RESULTS: Left-sided varicocele was confirmed in 23 (9.8%) pilots. Affected pilots tended to be taller (p = 0.073) and had a smaller mean left testicular volume (p < 0.001) than the control group. Eight cases (35%) were grade I, 10 (43%) were grade II, and 5 (22%) were grade III. For grades I and II, there was a trend for the testicular volume to decrease (p = 0.349 and 0.067, respectively). In grade III varicocele, this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of varicocele in fighter pilots during training is not higher than in other groups of the same age. Affected individuals tend to be taller, with ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy.