Serum uric acid levels correlate with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a frequently encountered condition that can severely affect the quality of life. In this study, we aimed to assess the possible relations between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and BPPV. METHODS: Fifty patients with BPPV, and 40 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. All the patients and controls underwent a complete audio-vestibular test battery including the Dix-Hallpike maneuver and supine roll test for posterior semicircular canal (PSC) and horizontal semicircular canal, respectively. Routine hematological and biochemical analyses were performed in both groups. In the BPPV group, measurements of SUA levels were repeated 1 month after the vertigo attack. RESULTS: The lipid profiles and SUA levels were higher in patients with BPPV than detected in controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Albumin and SUA values were independently associated with BPPV in multiple logistic regression models (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). A cutoff value of 4 for SUA level with a sensitivity of 0.72 (0.58-0.84) and a specificity of 0.60 (0.43-0.75) was obtained in the receiver operating characteristic analyses. There was a significant decrement in SUA level 1 month after the vertigo attack compared with the values obtained during the attack (P < 0.001). Among the most involved type of BPPV (PSC BPPV), the right side was affected in 26 patients (57.8%) and the left side in 19 patients (42.2%). SUA levels did not differ statistically in patients with PSC BPPV for either the right or left sides (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SUA is positively correlated with BPPV, requiring further efforts to clarify the exact mechanism.

Characteristics of articular fossa and condyle in patients with temporomandibular joint complaint.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) characteristics of patients who have temporomandibular disorder complaints with multislice computed tomography imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and March 2012, 37 patients whose age ranged from 18 to 60 years underwent Computed tomography imaging of the bilateral temporomandibular joints for TMJ complaints at our Institution. Twenty one patients without temporomandibular joint complaints serves as control group. Differences between the mean depths of the right and left side mandibular fossa and comparisons between patient and control groups were assessed by analysis student t test. RESULTS: The age range of 37 patients (28 females and 9 males) was 18 to 60 (mean age: 37.5) years. The mean depths of the mandibular fossa were 8.56 ±0.8 mm and 8.71 ±0.7 mm for the right and left sides (p < 0.05). The mean anterior joint spaces were 1.92±0.6 mm and 2.10±0.7 mm for the right and left sides, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean superior joint spaces were 2.98±0.7 mm and 2.82±0.8 mm for the right and left sides (p > 0.05). The mean posterior joint spaces were 2.31±0.7 mm and 2.17±0.6 mm for the right and left sides, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean values for the measurement of the anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the condylar process were 7.56±1.1 mm for the right side and 7.23±1.3 mm for the left side (p > 0.05). The mean values for the measurement of the mediolateral (ML) diameter of the condylar process were 16.97±2.1 mm for the right side and 17.17±2.7 mm for the left side (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of mandibular fossa and joint space had not differ in patients of TJS (temporo joint space). But, AP and ML measurements of condyles were statistically difference between patients and controls.

Laryngeal leiomyoma.

A case of leiomyoma arising from the subglottic area of a child is reported. This neoplasm is extremely rare in the larynx as only 14 cases have been described in the literature so far. Only 4 of these could be defined as subglottic. The clinical and histopathological features of laryngeal leiomyomas are briefly discussed.

Extirpation of a jugular foramen schwannoma via the transcervical-transmandibular approach.

Schwannomas of the jugular foramen are rare lesions. We present a case of a schwannoma of the spinal accessory nerve that occurred in the jugular foramen and skull base of a 52-year-old woman. The tumor was completely extirpated via a transcervical-transmandibular approach with an excellent functional result. The approach used afforded excellent exposure of the lateral or midline skull base, as well as maximum control of the major neurovascular structures in the upper neck and skull base.