Task force Guideline of Brazilian Society of Otology - hearing loss in children - Part II - Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of the main evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hearing loss in children and adolescents aged 0-18 years. METHODS: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on childhood hearing loss were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians' guideline grading system and the American Thyroid Association's guideline criteria were used for critical appraisal of evidence and recommendations for therapeutic interventions. RESULTS: The topics were divided into 2 parts: (1) treatment of sensorineural hearing loss: individual hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants, cochlear implants in young children, unilateral hearing loss, and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder; and (2) treatment of conductive/mixed hearing loss: external/middle ear malformations, ventilation tube insertion, and tympanoplasty in children. CONCLUSIONS: In children with hearing loss, in addition to speech therapy, Hearing AIDS (HAs) or implantable systems may be indicated. Even in children with profound hearing loss, both the use of HAs and behavioral assessments while using the device are important.

Task force Guideline of Brazilian Society of Otology ‒ hearing loss in children - Part I ‒ Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of the main evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hearing loss in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years. METHODS: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on childhood hearing loss were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians' guideline grading system and the American Thyroid Association's guideline criteria were used for critical appraisal of evidence and recommendations for therapeutic interventions. RESULTS: The evaluation and diagnosis of hearing loss: universal newborn hearing screening, laboratory testing, congenital infections (especially cytomegalovirus), genetic testing and main syndromes, radiologic imaging studies, vestibular assessment of children with hearing loss, auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and noise-induced hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Every child with suspected hearing loss has the right to diagnosis and appropriate treatment if necessary. This task force considers 5 essential rights: (1) Otolaryngologist consultation; (2) Speech assessment and therapy; (3) Diagnostic tests; (4) Treatment; (5) Ophthalmologist consultation.

Task force Guideline of Brazilian Society of Otology - hearing loss in children - Part II - Treatment

Abstract Objectives: To provide an overview of the main evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hearing loss in children and adolescents aged 0-18 years. Methods: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on childhood hearing loss were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians' guideline grading system and the American Thyroid Association's guideline criteria were used for critical appraisal of evidence and recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Results: The topics were divided into 2 parts: (1) treatment of sensorineural hearing loss: individual hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants, cochlear implants in young children, unilateral hearing loss, and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder; and (2) treatment of conductive/mixed hearing loss: external/middle ear malformations, ventilation tube insertion, and tympanoplasty in children. Conclusions: In children with hearing loss, in addition to speech therapy, Hearing AIDS (HAs) or implantable systems may be indicated. Even in children with profound hearing loss, both the use of HAs and behavioral assessments while using the device are important.

Practical approach for lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of the lateral semicircular canal is a well-recognized condition, even though there are controversies about the repositioning maneuvers and their efficacy. In recent decades, several maneuvers have been proposed for treating both apogeotropic and geotropic variants of lateral canal BPPV. Our purpose is to discuss a practical approach to this pathology with the Zuma maneuver. In a single session, this maneuver may be useful to treat patients with canalithiasis of the ampullary and non-ampullary arms, and cupulolithiasis with the otoliths in the canal and utricular side of the lateral canal.

The role of the reversed nystagmus during Zuma maneuver in patients treated for geotropic lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

INTRODUCTION: The geotropic variant of lateral canal BPPV occurs due to free floating otoconia in the non ampullary arm of this canal. Several repositioning maneuvers were effective to treat patients with this variant. We have previously proposed that the Zuma maneuver, first described for apogeotropic lateral canal BPPV, could also be effective for the geotropic variant as we believe that adopting a single maneuver may help the neurotological clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with geotropic lateral canal BPPV were enrolled and treated with Zuma maneuver. Patients were reevaluated 1 h after a single maneuver. RESULTS: All patients showed a nystagmus beating to the affected side in step I of Zuma maneuver that reversed its direction in step II. Besides, all patients achieved immediate resolution of vertigo and positional nystagmus after the application of the maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: The reversal of the nystagmus in step II of Zuma maneuver could be considered as a good prognostic indicator of the successful of this maneuver in patients with geotropic lateral canal BPPV. Moreover, despite the small sample of patients, Zuma maneuver was effective on short-term follow up for geotropic LC-BPPV after a single application.

Aquatic physiotherapy: a vestibular rehabilitation option / Fisioterapia aquática: uma opção de reabilitação vestibular

Abstract Introduction: Vestibular rehabilitation is a fundamental resource for vestibular symptom control. Its performance in the aquatic environment is considered safe for the physical activities of the elderly, because they act simultaneously on musculoskeletal disorders and balance improvement. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an aquatic physiotherapy protocol in individuals with peripheral vestibular alterations. Methods: This was an interventional case study with a paired intentional sample of four subjects, who were selected for convenience. The subjects, all of them diagnosed with peripheral vestibulopathy, were submitted to twelve sessions of aquatic physiotherapy for vestibular rehabilitation, being evaluated for dizziness in three moments: initial, after six sessions and at the end of the sessions. The tests applied were: unipodal support to measure static balance, the Fukuda stepping test, which estimates the dynamic balance and the dizziness handicap inventory protocol, aimed at verifying how dizziness influences daily life. Results: When analyzing the static balance, initially the individuals were in the adaptive and abnormal dimensions, and all reached normality at the end of the protocol. Regarding the dynamic balance, the individuals initially showed marked impairment in the angular deviation, mainly to the side of pathology (75% to the left and 25% to the right), achieving improvement at the end of the study. However, it failed to reach statistical significance. The dizziness handicap inventory showed a statistically significant difference in its totality (p = 0.0414), which addresses the physical, functional and emotional factors. Conclusion: In conclusion, the aquatic physiotherapy protocol for vestibular rehabilitation of patients with peripheral impairment was positively assessed by the participants, considering the improvement in dizziness (static and dynamic) and its impact on daily activities.

Resumo Introdução: A reabilitação vestibular se consolida como um recurso fundamental para o controle de sintomas vestibulares e sua feitura no meio aquático é considerada segura para as atividades físicas dos idosos, atua simultaneamente nas desordens musculoesqueléticas e na melhoria do equilíbrio. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um protocolo de fisioterapia aquática em indivíduos com alterações vestibulares periféricas. Método: Estudo de caso intervencional com amostra intencional pareada de quatro sujeitos, selecionados por conveniência, diagnosticados com vestibulopatias periféricas. Os sujeitos foram submetidos a 12 sessões de fisioterapia aquática para reabilitação vestibular. Foram avaliados quanto à tontura em três momentos: inicial, após seis sessões e ao término dos atendimentos. Os testes aplicados foram: o apoio unipodal para mensurar o equilíbrio estático, a prova dos passos de Fukuda que estima o equilíbrio dinâmico e o protocolo dizziness handicap inventory com o objetivo de verificar o quanto a tontura influencia na vida cotidiana. Resultados: Ao analisar o equilíbrio estático, inicialmente os indivíduos se encontravam nas dimensões adaptativas e anormais e ao término do protocolo todos atingiram a normalidade. Em relação ao equilíbrio dinâmico, os indivíduos inicialmente apresentavam grande comprometimento no desvio angular principalmente para o lado da patologia (75% à esquerda e 25% à direita), conseguiram uma melhoria no fim do estudo. Todavia, não conseguiu atingir a significância estatística. O dizziness handicap inventory obteve diferença estatisticamente significante em sua totalidade (p = 0,0414), onde aborda os fatores físicos, funcionais e emocionais. Conclusão: O protocolo de fisioterapia aquática voltado para reabilitação vestibular de pacientes com comprometimento periférico foi avaliado de forma positiva pelos participantes, considerando-se a melhoria no quadro de tontura (estática e dinâmica) e do seu impacto nas atividades cotidianas.

Zuma Modified Maneuver as a Treatment to Geotropic Lateral Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Introduction Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder, resulting from detached otoliths that migrate to one of the semicircular canals - canalolithiasis - or one of the cupulas - cupulolithiasis. The present study is related to lateral canal BPPVs, which may be either geotropic or apogeotropic. The geotropic variant of lateral semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (LC-BPPV) is attributed to free floating particles in the posterior arm of the lateral semicircular canal. Objectives To verify the possibility of employing the Zuma repositioning maneuver, with a brief modification, as an alternative treatment for geotropic LC-BPPV. Methods Seven patients with geotropic LC-BPPV were enrolled and treated with the Zuma modified maneuver. Patients were reevaluated 1 hour after a single maneuver, to confirm the resolution of vertigo and positional nystagmus. Results All seven patients achieved immediate resolution of vertigo and positional nystagmus as measured 1 hour after the application of the maneuver. Conclusion The Zuma modified maneuver was effective for geotropic LC-BPPV after a single application. The use of the Zuma maneuver for both apogeotropic and geotropic LC-BPPV may simplify the treatment of these patients.

Zuma Modified Maneuver as a Treatment to Geotropic Lateral Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract Introduction Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder, resulting from detached otoliths that migrate to one of the semicircular canals - canalolithiasis - or one of the cupulas - cupulolithiasis. The present study is related to lateral canal BPPVs, which may be either geotropic or apogeotropic. The geotropic variant of lateral semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (LC-BPPV) is attributed to free floating particles in the posterior arm of the lateral semicircular canal. Objectives To verify the possibility of employing the Zuma repositioning maneuver, with a brief modification, as an alternative treatment for geotropic LC-BPPV. Methods Seven patients with geotropic LC-BPPV were enrolled and treated with the Zuma modified maneuver. Patients were reevaluated 1 hour after a single maneuver, to confirm the resolution of vertigo and positional nystagmus. Results All seven patients achieved immediate resolution of vertigo and positional nystagmus as measured 1 hour after the application of the maneuver. Conclusion The Zuma modified maneuver was effective for geotropic LC-BPPV after a single application. The use of the Zuma maneuver for both apogeotropic and geotropic LC-BPPV may simplify the treatment of these patients.

Aquatic physiotherapy: a vestibular rehabilitation option.

INTRODUCTION: Vestibular rehabilitation is a fundamental resource for vestibular symptom control. Its performance in the aquatic environment is considered safe for the physical activities of the elderly, because they act simultaneously on musculoskeletal disorders and balance improvement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an aquatic physiotherapy protocol in individuals with peripheral vestibular alterations. METHODS: This was an interventional case study with a paired intentional sample of four subjects, who were selected for convenience. The subjects, all of them diagnosed with peripheral vestibulopathy, were submitted to twelve sessions of aquatic physiotherapy for vestibular rehabilitation, being evaluated for dizziness in three moments: initial, after six sessions and at the end of the sessions. The tests applied were: unipodal support to measure static balance, the Fukuda stepping test, which estimates the dynamic balance and the dizziness handicap inventory protocol, aimed at verifying how dizziness influences daily life. RESULTS: When analyzing the static balance, initially the individuals were in the adaptive and abnormal dimensions, and all reached normality at the end of the protocol. Regarding the dynamic balance, the individuals initially showed marked impairment in the angular deviation, mainly to the side of pathology (75% to the left and 25% to the right), achieving improvement at the end of the study. However, it failed to reach statistical significance. The dizziness handicap inventory showed a statistically significant difference in its totality (p = 0.0414), which addresses the physical, functional and emotional factors. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the aquatic physiotherapy protocol for vestibular rehabilitation of patients with peripheral impairment was positively assessed by the participants, considering the improvement in dizziness (static and dynamic) and its impact on daily activities.

Corrective Saccades in Unilateral and Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction During Slow Rotation Expressed by Visually Enhanced VOR and VOR Suppression: Role of the Cerebellum.

In clinical practice, the head impulse test paradigm (HIMP) and the suppression head impulse paradigm (SHIMP) stimulate high-frequency head movements so that the visual system is temporarily suppressed. The two tests could also be useful tools for vestibular assessment at low frequencies: VVOR (visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex) and VORS (vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression). The aim of this study is to analyze the eye movements typically found during VVOR and VORS testing in patients with unilateral and bilateral vestibular hypofunction. Twenty patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction, three patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction, and ten patients with normal vestibular function (control group) were analyzed through VVOR and VORS testing with an Otometrics ICS Impulse system. During the VVOR test, patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction exhibited corrective saccades to the same direction of the nystagmus fast phase toward the healthy side when the head rotates toward the affected side, while patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction exhibited corrective saccades to the opposite side of head movements to each side. During the VORS test, patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction seem to exhibit larger corrective saccades to the healthy side when the head was moved to this side, while patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction did not exhibit corrective saccades during head movements to either side. Our data suggest that the VVOR and VORS tests yield the same diagnostic information as the HIMP and SHIMP tests in unilateral and bilateral vestibular hypofunction, and can contribute to the diagnosis of a peripheral vestibular loss as well as the affected side.

An Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Vestibular, Cerebellar, and Oculomotor Disorders Using a Systematized Clinical Bedside Examination.

The bedside examination associated with their clinical history remains the most critical means to accurately diagnose the cause for most of the signs and symptoms related to pathology of the cerebellum and vestibular system in patients presenting with dizziness and imbalance. This paper focuses on those critical bedside examinations, suggests when laboratory testing might be useful to confirm the clinical suspicion, and considers the shared neural circuitry within the visual and vestibular systems to offer an algorithmic approach in conducting the clinical bedside examination.

Management of Lateral Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vestibular vertigo. It is caused by free-floating otoconia moving freely in one of the semicircular canals (canalolithiasis) or by otoliths adhered to the cupula (cupulolithiasis). The posterior canal is the most common canal affected, followed by the lateral canal. Diagnosis of the side affected is critical for successful treatment; therefore, suppressing visual fixation is essential to examination of these patients' eye movement. On the basis of our experience, we have adopted the Zuma maneuver and the modified Zuma maneuver for both apogeotropic and geotropic variants of lateral canal BPPV. Knowledge of the anatomy and pathophysiologic mechanisms of the semicircular canals is essential for correct management of these patients. Hence, using a single maneuver and its modification may facilitate daily neurotological practice.

Neurotology: definitions and evidence-based therapies - Results of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology / Otoneurologia: definições e terapias baseadas em evidências - Resultados do I Fórum Brasileiro de Otoneurologia

Abstract Introduction: Neurotology is a rapidly expanding field of knowledge. The study of the vestibular system has advanced so much that even basic definitions, such as the meaning of vestibular symptoms, have only recently been standardized. Objective: To present a review of the main subjects of neurotology, including concepts, diagnosis and treatment of Neurotology, defining current scientific evidence to facilitate decision-making and to point out the most evidence-lacking areas to stimulate further new research. Methods: This text is the result of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology, which brought together the foremost Brazilian researchers in this area for a literature review. In all, there will be three review papers to be published. This first review will address definitions and therapies, the second one will address diagnostic tools, and the third will define the main diseases diagnoses. Each author performed a bibliographic search in the LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and MEDLINE databases on a given subject. The text was then submitted to the other Forum participants for a period of 30 days for analysis. A special chapter, on the definition of vestibular symptoms, was translated by an official translation service, and equally submitted to the other stages of the process. There was then a in-person meeting in which all the texts were orally presented, and there was a discussion among the participants to define a consensual text for each chapter. The consensual texts were then submitted to a final review by four professors of neurotology disciplines from three Brazilian universities and finally concluded. Based on the full text, available on the website of the Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Surgery, this summary version was written as a review article. Result: The text presents the official translation into Portuguese of the definition of vestibular symptoms proposed by the Bárány Society and brings together the main scientific evidence for each of the main existing therapies for neurotological diseases. Conclusion: This text rationally grouped the main topics of knowledge regarding the definitions and therapies of Neurotology, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach of neurotological patients based on scientific evidence and national experience, which should assist them in clinical decision-making, and show the most evidence-lacking topics to stimulate further study.

Resumo Introdução: A otoneurologia é uma área de conhecimento que tem se expandido muito rapidamente. O estudo do sistema vestibular tem avançado tanto que mesmo definições básicas, como o significado dos sintomas vestibulares, foram apenas recentemente padronizadas. Objetivo: Apresentar uma revisão dos principais assuntos da otoneurologia, inclusive conceitos, diagnóstico e tratamento da otoneurologia, definir a evidência científica atual para facilitar a tomada de decisões e demonstrar as áreas mais carentes de evidência para estimular novas pesquisas. Método: Este texto é fruto do I Fórum Brasileiro de Otoneurologia, que reuniu os principais pesquisadores brasileiros dessa área para uma revisão da literatura. Serão feitos três trabalhos de revisão a serem publicados. Este primeiro abordou as definições e as terapias, o segundo abordará as ferramentas diagnósticas e o terceiro definirá os principais diagnósticos. Cada autor fez um levantamento bibliográfico na base de dados da Lilacs, SciELO, Pubmed e Medline de um determinado assunto. O seu texto foi então submetido aos demais participantes do Fórum por 30 dias para análise. Um capítulo especial, da definição dos sintomas vestibulares, foi traduzido por serviço de tradução oficial e igualmente submetido às demais etapas do processo. Houve então uma reunião presencial em que todos os textos foram apresentados oralmente e houve uma discussão entre os participantes para a definição de um texto consensual para cada capítulo. Os textos consensuais foram então submetidos a uma revisão final por quatro professores de otoneurologia de três universidades brasileiras e, por fim, finalizado. A partir do texto completo, publicado no site da Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial, foi escrita esta versão-resumo como artigo de revisão. Resultado: O texto apresenta a tradução oficial para o português da definição dos sintomas vestibulares propostos pela Barany Society e agrupa as principais evidências científicas para cada um das principais terapias existentes para as doenças otoneurológicas. Conclusão: Este texto agrupou de forma racional os principais tópicos de conhecimento a respeito das definições e terapias da otoneurologia, permite ao leitor uma visão ampla da abordagem dos pacientes otoneurológicos baseada em evidências científicas e experiência nacional, que deverá auxiliá-lo na tomada de decisões clínicas, e mostra os assuntos mais carentes de evidência para estimular novos estudos.

Neurotology: definitions and evidence-based therapies - Results of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology.

INTRODUCTION: Neurotology is a rapidly expanding field of knowledge. The study of the vestibular system has advanced so much that even basic definitions, such as the meaning of vestibular symptoms, have only recently been standardized. OBJECTIVE: To present a review of the main subjects of neurotology, including concepts, diagnosis and treatment of Neurotology, defining current scientific evidence to facilitate decision-making and to point out the most evidence-lacking areas to stimulate further new research. METHODS: This text is the result of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology, which brought together the foremost Brazilian researchers in this area for a literature review. In all, there will be three review papers to be published. This first review will address definitions and therapies, the second one will address diagnostic tools, and the third will define the main diseases diagnoses. Each author performed a bibliographic search in the LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and MEDLINE databases on a given subject. The text was then submitted to the other Forum participants for a period of 30 days for analysis. A special chapter, on the definition of vestibular symptoms, was translated by an official translation service, and equally submitted to the other stages of the process. There was then a in-person meeting in which all the texts were orally presented, and there was a discussion among the participants to define a consensual text for each chapter. The consensual texts were then submitted to a final review by four professors of neurotology disciplines from three Brazilian universities and finally concluded. Based on the full text, available on the website of the Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Surgery, this summary version was written as a review article. RESULT: The text presents the official translation into Portuguese of the definition of vestibular symptoms proposed by the Bárány Society and brings together the main scientific evidence for each of the main existing therapies for neurotological diseases. CONCLUSION: This text rationally grouped the main topics of knowledge regarding the definitions and therapies of Neurotology, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach of neurotological patients based on scientific evidence and national experience, which should assist them in clinical decision-making, and show the most evidence-lacking topics to stimulate further study.

Apogeotropic variant of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Where are the particles?

The apogeotropic variant of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV) is attributed to free floating particles in the anterior arm of the lateral semicircular canal - particles attached to the cupula facing the canal or particles attached to the cupula facing the utricle. Zuma e Maia described a new treatment for both canalithiasis of the anterior arm of the horizontal semicircular canal (HC) and cupulolithiasis of the HC. Seventeen patients with apogeotropic HC-BPPV were enrolled and treated with Zuma's Maneuver. During the repositioning of the particles to the utricule, we observed the direction of the nystagmus evoked in each step of this maneuver in order to know where the otoliths were probably located. Eight patients were diagnosed with canalithiasis of the anterior arm, six patients with cupulolithiasis with the particles facing the canal and three patients with cupulolithiasis with the particles facing the utricle. Our data suggest that we can assume where the otoliths are probably located by observing the pattern of the nystagmus evoked in each step of the Zuma's Maneuver in patients with apogeotropic HC-BPPV.

Seasonality and solar radiation variation level in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) presents seasonal variations and there is evidence that the variation in time is dependent on the patient's amount of vitamin D. OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective study to verify if there is a correlation between the incidence of BPPV and the level of solar radiation, essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study comprised 214 patients with BPPV seen from 2012 to 2017, in a city Latitude: -30.0277, Longitude: -51.2287 30° 1' 40″ South, 51° 13' 43″ West. The amounts of monthly solar radiation were analyzed in relation to the dates of their first consultations. Statistical tests were employed to verify the existence of a correlation between solar radiation and the incidence of the disease. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the incidence of BPPV and the amount of radiation during the month of the diagnosis of the disease. There was also a significant statistical correlation with the climatic variation. CONCLUSION: More patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are seen in consultation in the months with low solar radiation and in the autumn and winter seasons, in this geographic city.

Head-shaking tilt suppression: a clinical test to discern central from peripheral causes of vertigo.

Tilt suppression refers to both tilting the head away from an Earth vertical axis and a reduction of an induced horizontal nystagmus. This phenomenon of reducing an induced horizontal nystagmus involves a circuitry of neurons within the vestibular nuclei and the cerebellum (collectively referred to as velocity storage) and signals from the otolith end organs. Lesions involving this circuitry can disrupt tilt suppression of induced horizontal nystagmus. We investigated the clinical value of combining the horizontal head-shaking nystagmus test with tilt suppression in 28 patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction and 11 patients with lesions affecting the central nervous system. Each of the subjects with peripheral vestibular lesions generated an appropriately directed horizontal nystagmus after head shaking that then suppressed the induced angular slow phase velocity on average 52 ± 17.6% following tilt down of the head. In contrast, patients with central lesions had very little ability to suppress post-head-shaking nystagmus (mean 3.4 ± 56%). We recommend tilting the head after head shaking as a useful clinical test to assist in the differential diagnosis of vertiginous patients. In the case of unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction, head tilt suppresses the induced nystagmus via influence of the otolith organ. In the case of central pathology, the inability to suppress the nystagmus is from lesions impairing the otolith mediation on the velocity storage circuitry.

Behavior of the Posterior Semicircular Canal After Dix-Hallpike Maneuver.

The objective of the present study is to analyze the quantitative vestibulo-ocular responses in a group of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) canalolithiasis and compare these data with the data of the tridimensional biomechanical model. This study was conducted on 70 patients that presented idiopathic posterior semicircular canal canalolithiasis. The diagnosis was obtained by Dix-Hallpike maneuvers recorded by videonystagmograph. The present study demonstrates that there is a significant correlation between the intensity of the nystagmus and its latency in cases of BPPV-idiopathic posterior semicircular canal canalolithiasis type. These findings are in agreement with those obtained in a tridimensional biomechanical model and are not related to the patients' age.

Assessment of the vestibuloocular reflex in fighter pilots with the video head impulse test.

CONCLUSION: There were no changes in the function of the six semicircular canals in active fighter pilots, through the use of the video head impulse test (vHIT). These results suggest that the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) works well at the high frequencies related to the natural head movements in this population. OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The vestibular function in pilots has been reported as being different from that of other normal subjects. These differences are attributed to adaptation of the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) or by habituation. These studies were conducted with caloric and/or rotatory tests and were limited to the lateral semicircular canals. The aim of the present study was to verify the occurrence of high frequency changes in the function of the six semicircular canals in active fighter pilots, through the use of the video head impulse test (vHIT). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. METHODS: The subjects participating in this study were divided in three groups, according to their flight experience. The control group (Group 1) consisted of 20 soldiers with no experience of in-flight training. For the test subjects 14 fighter pilots were selected and divided into two groups. Group 2 included the pilots with 1000-2000 hours of flight experience and Group 3 included pilots with 2001-3000 hours of flight experience. They were all submitted to a video head impulse test and the gains of the six semicircular canals were analysed. RESULTS: There were significantly low gain values (p < 0,013) only in the left posterior semicircular canal in the control group as compared with the subject groups. However, there were no significant differences in gain values between the two groups of the active pilots.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: comparison of two recent international guidelines.

UNLABELLED: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is characterized by vertigo, lasting for a few seconds and usually managed by head positioning maneuvers. To educate clinicians concerning the state-of-the art knowledge about its management, the international societies developed guidelines. AIM: the aim of this paper is to discuss, in a practical fashion, the current options available to manage BPPV. STUDY DESIGN: non-systematic review. This study reviews two recent guidelines regarding the evaluation and treatment of BPPV. The first one was published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgery (AAO-HNS) and the other by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The similarities were presented in different tables. RESULTS: Those guidelines presented differences regarding methods. Only the AAO-HNS guidelines recommend the Dix-Hallpike test for the diagnosis of BPPV. Only canalith repositioning maneuver, Semont maneuver and vestibular rehabilitation had showed some benefit and were recommended as good treatment options. CONCLUSIONS: Both guidelines fulfilled all the aspects required for clinicians to diagnosed and manage BPPV; only the AAO-HNS's guidelines were more comprehensive and of better quality.