Is it important to repeat the positioning maneuver after the treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo? / É importante realizar o reteste da manobra de posicionamento após o tratamento da vertigem postural paroxística benigna?

INTRODUCTION: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vestibular dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the performance of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver after the Epley positioning maneuver has prognostic value in the evolution of unilateral ductolithiasis of posterior semicircular canal. METHODS: A prospective cohort study in monitored patients at otoneurology ambulatory with a diagnosis of BPPV; they were submitted to the therapeutic maneuver and then to a retest in order to evaluate the treatment effectiveness; all cases were reassessed one week later and the retest prognostic value was evaluated. RESULTS: A sample of 64 patients which 47 belonging to negative retest group and 17 belonging to positive retest. Performed the maneuver in all patients, the retest presented 51.85% sensitivity, 91.89% specificity, 82.35% positive predictive value and 72.34% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: The study shows that doing the retest after repositioning maneuver of particles in BPPV is effectual, since it has high specificity. .

INTRODUÇÃO: A vertigem posicional paroxística benigna (VPPB) é a causa mais comum de disfunção vestibular periférica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a realização do reteste de Dix-Hallpike após a manobra de posicionamento de Epley tem valor prognóstico na evolução da vertigem posicional da ductolitíase paroxística benigna de canal semicircular posterior unilateral. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo do tipo coorte de pacientes em acompanhamento no ambulatório de otoneurologia com diagnóstico de VPPB; foram submetidos a manobra terapêutica e posteriormente ao reteste para avaliar a eficácia do tratamento; todos os casos foram reavaliados em uma semana e analisado o valor prognostico do reteste. RESULTADOS: Amostra de 64 pacientes, 47 do grupo reteste negativo e 17 do reteste positivo; realizada manobra de Epley em todos os pacientes. O reteste apresentou sensibilidade de 51,85%; especificidade de 91,89%; valor preditivo positivo de 82,35% e valor preditivo negativo de 72,34%. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostra que é válido realizar o reteste após a manobra de reposicionamento de partículas na VPPB, visto que possui alta especificidade. .

Is it important to repeat the positioning maneuver after the treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

INTRODUCTION: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vestibular dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the performance of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver after the Epley positioning maneuver has prognostic value in the evolution of unilateral ductolithiasis of posterior semicircular canal. METHODS: A prospective cohort study in monitored patients at otoneurology ambulatory with a diagnosis of BPPV; they were submitted to the therapeutic maneuver and then to a retest in order to evaluate the treatment effectiveness; all cases were reassessed one week later and the retest prognostic value was evaluated. RESULTS: A sample of 64 patients which 47 belonging to negative retest group and 17 belonging to positive retest. Performed the maneuver in all patients, the retest presented 51.85% sensitivity, 91.89% specificity, 82.35% positive predictive value and 72.34% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: The study shows that doing the retest after repositioning maneuver of particles in BPPV is effectual, since it has high specificity.

Results of the implantation of bone-anchored hearing aids in patients with treacher-collins syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Treacher-Collins syndrome is characterized by craniofacial malformations, narrowing of the external auditory canal (EAC), and, in 30% of cases, agenesis of the canal and ossicular chain defects. The use of hearing aids (HA) is not possible in cases in which agenesis or stenosis of the EAC accompanies conductive deafness. In contrast, bone conduction implants such as the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA®) allow direct stimulation of the cochlea and are thus superior to conventional hearing aids in cases of severe conductive hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: To present 2 cases of patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome who underwent implantation of BAHA®. CASES REPORTS: The first patient was a 52-year-old woman diagnosed with Treacher-Collins syndrome who presented with severe bilateral mixed hearing loss and a history of unsuccessful previous use of a bone contact conduction device. The BAHA® implantation was uneventful, and the post-operative results were good. The second patient was a 14-year-old girl who was also diagnosed with Treacher-Collins Syndrome with bilateral moderate conductive hearing loss by audiometry. The use of a bone vibrator contact device did not improve her hearing; however, implantation of a BAHA® resulted in a decreased gap postoperatively. FINAL COMMENTS: BAHA® hearing devices provide adequate rehabilitation and consequent improvement of the quality of life in patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome.

Results of the implantation of bone-anchored hearing aids in patients with treacher-collins syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Treacher-Collins syndrome is characterized by craniofacial malformations, narrowing of the external auditory canal (EAC), and, in 30% of cases, agenesis of the canal and ossicular chain defects. The use of hearing aids (HA) is not possible in cases in which agenesis or stenosis of the EAC accompanies conductive deafness. In contrast, bone conduction implants such as the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA(®)) allow direct stimulation of the cochlea and are thus superior to conventional hearing aids in cases of severe conductive hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: To present 2 cases of patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome who underwent implantation of BAHA(®). CASES REPORTS: The first patient was a 52-year-old woman diagnosed with Treacher-Collins syndrome who presented with severe bilateral mixed hearing loss and a history of unsuccessful previous use of a bone contact conduction device. The BAHA(®) implantation was uneventful, and the post-operative results were good. The second patient was a 14-year-old girl who was also diagnosed with Treacher-Collins Syndrome with bilateral moderate conductive hearing loss by audiometry. The use of a bone vibrator contact device did not improve her hearing; however, implantation of a BAHA(®) resulted in a decreased gap postoperatively. Final comments: BAHA(®) hearing devices provide adequate rehabilitation and consequent improvement of the quality of life in patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome.

[Post-radiotherapy pelvic exenteration in relapsed cervical cancer: experience of a tertiary health service in the northeast of Brazil]. / Exenteração pélvica para câncer do colo uterino recidivado pós-radioterapia: experiência de um centro terciário do Nordeste brasileiro.

PURPOSE: to analyze complications, morbidity, mortality and survival rate in a group of patients with cervical cancer with central pelvic relapse after primary radiotherapy treatment. METHODS: retrospective study of a series of 16 cases of pelvic exenteration after primary radiotherapy treatment. Descriptive statistics, survival curve through Kaplan-Meier's method, and regression analysis to evaluate prognosis were performed. RESULTS: sixteen patients have undergone pelvic exenteration. Epidermoid carcinoma, IIb stage and undifferentiated grade were the most frequent conditions. Post-operatory tumor relapse occurred in half the cases. Eleven patients presented peri or post-surgical complications, the most frequent being pelvic infection, that of the surgical wound, and urinary fistulae. Global survival rate was 64.3%, with average follow-up of 11 months. Regression analysis did not detect any significant prognosis factor for the patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: the survival rate was 64.3%. No particular factor associated to poor prognosis has been found in the present series of cases.

Exenteração pélvica para câncer do colo uterino recidivado pós-radioterapia: experiência de um centro terciário do Nordeste brasileiro / Post-radiotherapy pelvic exenteration in relapsed cervical cancer: experience of a tertiary health service in the northeast of Brazil

OBJETIVO: analisar complicações, morbidade, mortalidade e sobrevida num grupo de pacientes com câncer de colo uterino com recidiva pélvica central submetidas à exenteração pélvica pós-tratamento primário com radioterapia. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo de uma série de 16 casos de exenteração pélvica pós-tratamento primário com radioterapia. Foi realizada estatística descritiva, curva de sobrevida pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e análise de regressão linear múltipla para avaliar fatores prognósticos. RESULTADOS: dezesseis pacientes foram submetidas à exenteração pélvica. O carcinoma epidermoide, o estádio IIb e o grau indiferenciado foram as condições mais frequentes. A recidiva tumoral pós-operatória ocorreu na metade dos casos. Onze pacientes apresentaram complicações perioperatórias ou pós-operatórias e as mais frequentes foram infecções pélvica e da ferida operatória e fístulas urinárias. A sobrevida global foi de 64,3 por cento, com um seguimento mediano de 11 meses. A análise de regressão linear múltipla não revelou fatores prognósticos significativos na sobrevida das pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: a taxa de sobrevida foi de 64,3 por cento. Nenhum fator associado a pior prognóstico foi encontrado nesta série.

PURPOSE: to analyze complications, morbidity, mortality and survival rate in a group of patients with cervical cancer with central pelvic relapse after primary radiotherapy treatment. METHODS: retrospective study of a series of 16 cases of pelvic exenteration after primary radiotherapy treatment. Descriptive statistics, survival curve through Kaplan-Meier's method, and regression analysis to evaluate prognosis were performed. RESULTS: sixteen patients have undergone pelvic exenteration. Epidermoid carcinoma, IIb stage and undifferentiated grade were the most frequent conditions. Post-operatory tumor relapse occurred in half the cases. Eleven patients presented peri or post-surgical complications, the most frequent being pelvic infection, that of the surgical wound, and urinary fistulae. Global survival rate was 64.3 percent, with average follow-up of 11 months. Regression analysis did not detect any significant prognosis factor for the patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: the survival rate was 64.3 percent. No particular factor associated to poor prognosis has been found in the present series of cases.