Predictors of fall risk in older adults using the G-STRIDE inertial sensor: an observational multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: There are a lot of tools to use for fall assessment, but there is not yet one that predicts the risk of falls in the elderly. This study aims to evaluate the use of the G-STRIDE prototype in the analysis of fall risk, defining the cut-off points to predict the risk of falling and developing a predictive model that allows discriminating between subjects with and without fall risks and those at risk of future falls. METHODS: An observational, multicenter case-control study was conducted with older people coming from two different public hospitals and three different nursing homes. We gathered clinical variables ( Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Standardized Frailty Criteria, Speed 4 m walk, Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Time-Up Go Test, and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS)) and measured gait kinematics using an inertial measure unit (IMU). We performed a logistic regression model using a training set of observations (70% of the participants) to predict the probability of falls. RESULTS: A total of 163 participants were included, 86 people with gait and balance disorders or falls and 77 without falls; 67,8% were females, with a mean age of 82,63 ± 6,01 years. G-STRIDE made it possible to measure gait parameters under normal living conditions. There are 46 cut-off values of conventional clinical parameters and those estimated with the G-STRIDE solution. A logistic regression mixed model, with four conventional and 2 kinematic variables allows us to identify people at risk of falls showing good predictive value with AUC of 77,6% (sensitivity 0,773 y specificity 0,780). In addition, we could predict the fallers in the test group (30% observations not in the model) with similar performance to conventional methods. CONCLUSIONS: The G-STRIDE IMU device allows to predict the risk of falls using a mixed model with an accuracy of 0,776 with similar performance to conventional model. This approach allows better precision, low cost and less infrastructures for an early intervention and prevention of future falls.

[Treatment of Zenker's diverticulum: comparison of different techniques]. / Tratamiento del divertículo de Zenker: comparación de diferentes técnicas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Zenker's diverticulum has been approached surgically with different techniques over the years, evolving from open to endoscopic surgery. The CO(2) laser or the stapler can be used in endoscopic surgery. Our objective was to ascertain the recurrence or persistence of the diverticulum based on the type of surgery performed. METHOD: A retrospective descriptive study of 22 patients treated for Zenker's diverticulum in our hospital service between 2001 and 2011. RESULTS: Endoscopic surgery using laser CO(2) was performed in 13 patients, using stapler in 6 patients and with open approach in 3 patients. Surgery time, oral intake and hospital stay were greater in the open approach (107 minutes, 8 days and 11 days respectively) and less in surgery with stapler (52 minutes, 3 days and 5 days) than the technique with laser (58 minutes, 5 days and 8 days). With the first intervention, 68% of our patients improved, a percentage that increased to 95% taking into account the second intervention in patients that relapsed after the first surgery. Complications appeared in 13.6% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of choice nowadays for Zenker's diverticulum is endoscopic surgery. The endoscopic approach with stapler seems to present lower morbidity and a shorter hospital stay in comparison with the CO(2) laser.

Mitochondrial ribosome and Ménière's disease: a pilot study.

Ménière's disease patients experience vestibular disability. When most of medical treatments fail, a chemical labyrinthectomy using aminoglycosides is indicated. However, this process frequently causes hearing damage. Aminoglycosides, interacting with mitochondrial rRNAs, alter mitochondrial protein synthesis and the oxidative phosphorylation system, which provide most of the energy in sensory hair cells. For this reason, we hypothesized that genetic variation in mitochondrial rRNA genes and in two nuclear genes coding for proteins that also modify the susceptibility to aminoglycosides might affect the risk of hearing loss in Ménière's disease patients suffering chemical labyrinthectomy. However, there were no differences in mitochondrial rRNA, TFB1M or MRPS12 genetic variation between those patients that experienced or did not experience hearing loss. This is only a pilot study and larger studies are required to use this therapeutic approach in a rational way and decrease the risk of hearing damage.

[Sphenopalatinum foramen: an anatomical study]. / Estudio anatómico del orificio esfenopalatino.

INTRODUCTION: The position of the sphenopalatine artery is essential for the endoscopic treatment of severe posterior epistaxis. This artery passes through its own foramen, which has a wide range of locations and anatomic relations. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a descriptive osteological study on the sphenopalatine foramen area. Its anatomy, size, position and relations with turbinates and choanae are described, as well as the existence of accessory foramina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Exploration and anatomical study was carried out in 32 human hemi-crania. RESULTS: The area between middle and superior meatus was considered the most common location of the sphenopalatine foramen in 56.24% of the cases (18 specimens), followed by the superior meatus, with 37.5% (12 hemi-skulls). The foramen was located in middle meatus in just two cases. We found accessory foramina in 50% of the cases, most commonly positioned below the middle meatus. The ethmoidal crest appeared in every skull, producing an anterior osseous projection on the sphenopalatine foramen. CONCLUSION: There are variations in position, number and anatomic relations that may cause changes in the sphenopalatine artery orifice and its branches into the nasal fossa. The ethmoidal crest, located on the anterior side of the sphenopalatine foramen, can be considered a permanent landmark to find the foramen.

[Anterior ethmoidal artery at ethmoidal labyrinth: Bibliographical review of anatomical variants and references for endoscopic surgery]. / La arteria etmoidal anterior en el laberinto etmoidal: Revisión bibliográfica sobre variantes anatómicas y referencias para la cirugía endoscópica.

INTRODUCTION: The anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) has a trajectory with multiple anatomical variations. In addition, there are no clear references to locate it, so it is easy to produce an iatrogenic lesion. The goal of this study was to carry out a bibliographical review to analyse variants and endoscopic reference reports in the scientific literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review in Medline and Embase data bases was carried out, looking for AEA-related anatomical and radiological studies. After the revision, the principal study results, together with several distances and angles useful for locating the AEA, are presented in this study. RESULTS: There were 13 main articles that analysed a total of 1388 AEA. It was absent from 2 to 14%. It was identifiable in computed tomography (CT) between 95 and 100%. It was located between the second and third ethmoidal lamella in 74.2% and at the skull base level in 66.6%. Ethmoidal sinuses pneumatisation was related to AEA location at the skull base. Between 83 and 85.3%, it was found at the suprabullar recess. CONCLUSIONS: CT is useful for presurgery planning. AEA are more frequent between the second and third lamella and at skull level. Ethmoidal pneumatisation and Keros grades could be predictive factors for AEA relationship with the skull base level. The AEA, the axilla of the middle turbinate and the superomedial edge of the nose are in a straight line, being a simple and useful reference in endoscopic sinus surgery.

CO2 laser surgery of supraglottic carcinoma: our experience over 6 years.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The study goal was to analyze the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 53 patients were included in this retrospective review between 2000 and 2006. The follow-up period was more than 2 years and the mean follow-up for all patients was 49 months. RESULTS: Tumour extension was as follows: T1 in 12 (22.6%), T2 in 37 (69.8%) and T3 in 4 (7.5%). Forty-seven patients (88.7%) had neck dissections. Nineteen patients (35.8%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier estimates for disease-specific survival were 80%, 74.11% and 65%, at 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. The overall functional laryngeal preservation rate was 90.56%. (48 of 53), and local control 81.13%. During follow up, 13.2% of patients developed local recurrence, 11.3% regional recurrence and 5.7% loco-regional recurrence. Patients started swallowing early after surgery, with a mean time of 5.83 days, and the mean hospital stay was 14.69 days. Complications included 20.75% who suffered pneumonia and 11.32% with bleeding. Only one patient (1.88%) received total laryngectomy due to the impossibility of swallowing. CONCLUSIONS: With careful selection of patients, laser supraglottic laryngectomy is a safe and effective treatment for cancer of the supraglottic larynx.

[Abscess of cavum and ophthalmoplegia secondary to malignant external otitis]. / Absceso de cavum y oftalmoplejía secundarios a otitis externa maligna.

We present a rare case of ophthalmoplegia, labyrinthitis and abscess of cavum secondary to skull base osteomyelitis by malignant external otitis. Since symptoms persisted in spite of antibiotic therapy, surgical drainage using a transnasal endoscopic approach was performed.

[Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in children]. / Síndrome de apnea obstructiva en niños.

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a well-known clinical entity in adults but until now it has been less well studied in children. In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the recognition of sleep disorders in children. Our goal is to analyze scientific data published in the last few years. We reviewed published articles regarding paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and extracted the clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. In conclusion, the natural course and long-term prognosis of childhood obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome are not well-known and further studies are needed in this area.