Long-term follow-up of patients with vestibular neuritis by caloric testing and directional preponderance calculation.

OBJECTIVES: This study focuses on the diagnostic precision of caloric testing in detecting vestibular neuritis (VN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 99 patients (36 men, 63 women, mean age: 44.63 years [Formula: see text] 12.08 SD) with superior VN were involved, and 157 participants with a normal functioning vestibular system were also investigated. All patients underwent a complete neurotological examination, including the caloric test with electronystagmography registration. The canal paresis (CP) and directional preponderance (DP) values were analysed. RESULTS: A VN on the right side was diagnosed in 31.3% and on the left side in 68.7%. When the CP parameters between the control and VN patients were contrasted, a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.00001*, Mann-Whitney U test), indicating higher values in the latter group. The prediction of VN based on the CP value was successful in 71%, and statistical analysis indicated a significant result [p < 0.0001*; OR: 5.730 (95% CI 3.301-9.948)]. The DP values were also significantly higher in the VN group (p < 0.00001*). The prediction of VN according to the DP value was successful in 69.8%. A significant result was also observed in this case [p < 0.001*; OR: 4.162 (95% CI 2.653-8.017)]. When both CP and DP were considered, a predictive value of 84.8% with a significant outcome [p < 0.0001*; OR: 82.7 (95% CI 28.4-241.03)] was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Including the CP and DP parameters of the caloric test, VN could be detected in around 85%. Therefore, the caloric helps diagnose the disorder, but both parameters must be considered.

Comparison between caloric and video-head impulse tests in Ménière's disease and vestibular neuritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracies of air caloric testing with electronystagmography and the vHIT (video-head impulse test). DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. STUDY SAMPLE: MD (Ménière's disease), 26; vestibular neuritis, 27; control, 56. RESULTS: In MD, CP (canal paresis) was pathological in 88.5%, the GA (gain asymmetry) on vHIT was pathological in 65.3%, and the gain was abnormal in only one patient. The GA and CP, were significantly higher in the MD group than in the control group, indicating hypofunction of the horizontal canals in MD, whereas a hyperfunction may also occur. No correlation was observed between the results of the two tests for evaluating MD, suggesting that pathological outcomes of one test do not guarantee abnormalities on the other test. For vestibular neuritis, significantly higher CP (96.3%), GA (81.5%), and gain (51.9%) values were detected. A correlation was identified between the two tests for vestibular neuritis, indicating a similar diagnostic efficiency. The higher percentage of pathological GA versus pathological gain values indicates that the asymmetry may be more informative. CONCLUSIONS: The vHIT showed a higher specificity, whereas the caloric test a higher sensitivity. No correlation between the two methods was observed; therefore, the tests appear to provide complementary information.

Depression scores and quality of life of vertiginous patients, suffering from different vestibular disorders.

PURPOSE: To contrast the quality of life (QoL) impairment and depression scores of patients suffering from different vestibular disorders. METHODS: 301 patients were examined due to vertiginous complaints at the Neurotology Centre of the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of Semmelweis University. These patients completed the Hungarian version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised questionnaires. RESULTS: According to neurotological examination, the distribution of the different diagnoses was as follows: Menière's disease (n = 101), central vestibular disorders (n = 67), BPPV (n = 47), vestibular neuritis (n = 39), other unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy (n = 18), PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness) (n = 16), vestibular migraine (n = 8), and vestibular Schwannoma (n = 5). The results of the DHI questionnaire have indicated worsened QoL in 86.4%, out of which 33.6% was defined as severe. The Beck scale has shown depressive symptoms in 42.3% of the cases, with severe symptoms in 6.3%. Significantly higher total DHI and Beck scale results were observed in patients with central vestibular disorders, vestibular migraine, PPPD and peripheral vestibulopathy, contrasted to the results of the other four diagnosis groups. The onset of the symptoms did not significantly affect the severity of QoL worsening and depression symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this study, the QoL of vertiginous patients was worse in general, with the occurrence of depression symptoms. A difference was observed in the case of the values of patients with different vestibular disorders, indicating the importance of different factors, e.g., central vestibular compensation, behavioural strategies and psychological factors.

Chronic Oral Selegiline Treatment Mitigates Age-Related Hearing Loss in BALB/c Mice.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), a sensorineural hearing loss of multifactorial origin, increases its prevalence in aging societies. Besides hearing aids and cochlear implants, there is no FDA approved efficient pharmacotherapy to either cure or prevent ARHL. We hypothesized that selegiline, an antiparkinsonian drug, could be a promising candidate for the treatment due to its complex neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission enhancing effects. We monitored by repeated Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) measurements the effect of chronic per os selegiline administration on the hearing function in BALB/c and DBA/2J mice, which strains exhibit moderate and rapid progressive high frequency hearing loss, respectively. The treatments were started at 1 month of age and lasted until almost a year and 5 months of age, respectively. In BALB/c mice, 4 mg/kg selegiline significantly mitigated the progression of ARHL at higher frequencies. Used in a wide dose range (0.15-45 mg/kg), selegiline had no effect in DBA/2J mice. Our results suggest that selegiline can partially preserve the hearing in certain forms of ARHL by alleviating its development. It might also be otoprotective in other mammals or humans.

Intratympanic gentamycine for Ménière's disease: is there a selective vestibulotoxic effect?

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the treatment, based on vertigo diaries and pure tone audiograms. METHODS: The complete medical documentation of 105 definite patients suffering from Ménière's disease was analyzed. In the studied group, nine patients were treated with intratympanic gentamycine. Long-term follow-up of the patients was carried out, using vertigo diaries, medical letters, anamnestic data, and pure tone audiograms. Audiometric results and vertigo complaints before and after treatment were contrasted using IBM SPSS V24 software. RESULTS: Based on our analysis, vertigo attacks appeared significantly less often after gentamycine treatment [p < 0.001; Odds ratio 0.003 (95% CI 0.001-0.012)], which confirms the efficacy of the therapy. Pure tone stages before and after the application of gentamycine were contrasted using the Mann-Whitney U test. When comparing the audiometric results of long-term follow-ups by using the logistic regression, a statistically significant difference was observed between the treated and not treated groups [p = 0.001; Odds ratio 0.141 (95% CI 0.064-0.313)], and based on the survivorship curve hearing impairment was more common in the not treated group which also supports our results. Based on the non-parametric test, there was no significant difference (p = 0.84) between the pure-tone stages of the control group and of those treated with gentamycine. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that intratympanic gentamycine is effective in controlling vertigo attacks, and there is no higher risk for hearing loss than in case of spontaneous progression of the disorder.

Anti-PD-1 Therapy Does Not Influence Hearing Ability in the Most Sensitive Frequency Range, but Mitigates Outer Hair Cell Loss in the Basal Cochlear Region.

The administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) often leads to immune-related adverse events. However, their effect on auditory function is largely unexplored. Thorough preclinical studies have not been published yet, only sporadic cases and pharmacovigilance reports suggest their significance. Here we investigated the effect of anti-PD-1 antibody treatment (4 weeks, intraperitoneally, 200 µg/mouse, 3 times/week) on hearing function and cochlear morphology in C57BL/6J mice. ICI treatment did not influence the hearing thresholds in click or tone burst stimuli at 4-32 kHz frequencies measured by auditory brainstem response. The number and morphology of spiral ganglion neurons were unaltered in all cochlear turns. The apical-middle turns (<32 kHz) showed preservation of the inner and outer hair cells (OHCs), whilst ICI treatment mitigated the age-related loss of OHCs in the basal turn (>32 kHz). The number of Iba1-positive macrophages has also increased moderately in this high frequency region. We conclude that a 4-week long ICI treatment does not affect functional and morphological integrity of the inner ear in the most relevant hearing range (4-32 kHz; apical-middle turns), but a noticeable preservation of OHCs and an increase in macrophage activity appeared in the >32 kHz basal part of the cochlea.

[What happens to vertiginous population after emission from the Emergency Department?] / Mi történik a szédülô beteggel a sürgôsségi osztály elhagyása után?

Background - Dizziness is one of the most frequent complaints when a patient is searching for medical care and resolution. This can be a problematic presentation in the emergency department, both from a diagnostic and a management standpoint. Purpose - The aim of our study is to clarify what happens to patients after leaving the emergency department. Methods - 879 patients were examined at the Semmel-weis University Emergency Department with vertigo and dizziness. We sent a questionnaire to these patients and we had 308 completed papers back (110 male, 198 female patients, mean age 61.8 ± 12.31 SD), which we further analyzed. Results - Based on the emergency department diagnosis we had the following results: central vestibular lesion (n = 71), dizziness or giddiness (n = 64) and BPPV (n = 51) were among the most frequent diagnosis. Clarification of the final post-examination diagnosis took several days (28.8%), and weeks (24.2%). It was also noticed that 24.02% of this population never received a proper diagnosis. Among the population only 80 patients (25.8%) got proper diagnosis of their complaints, which was supported by qualitative statistical analysis (Cohen Kappa test) result (κ = 0.560). Discussion - The correlation between our emergency department diagnosis and final diagnosis given to patients is low, a phenomenon that is also observable in other countries. Therefore, patient follow-up is an important issue, including the importance of neurotology and possibly neurological examination. Conclusion - Emergency diagnosis of vertigo is a great challenge, but despite of difficulties the targeted and quick case history and exact examination can evaluate the central or peripheral cause of the balance disorder. Therefore, to prevent declination of the quality of life the importance of further investigation is high.

[The role of Hungarian-rooted scholars in the development of Otoneurology]. / Magyar származású tudósok szerepe az otoneurológia fejlodésében.

Despite of the symptoms of vertigo have been known since thousands of years, it was evident by the research of the pioneer scientists of the 19th century (Flourens, Ménière, Breuer and others) that dizziness can also be attributed to inner ear disfunctions. The discovery of the vestibulo-ocular reflex was an important milestone (Endre Hogyes, 1884). The vestibulo-ocular reflex stabilizes images on the retina by rotating the eyes at the same speed but in the opposite direction of head motion. The milestone discovery of Hogyes by stimulating individual labyrinth receptors and recording the activity of eye muscles were verified by János Szentágothai in 1950. Low-frequency lesions of the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex can be investigated by caloric test (Robert Bárány,1906), high-frequency lesions by head impulse test (Gabor Michael Halmagyi and Ian Stewart Curthoys, 1988).

Analysis of GJB2 mutations and the clinical manifestation in a large Hungarian cohort.

PURPOSE: Pathogenic variants of the gap junction beta 2 (GJB2) gene are responsible for about 50% of hereditary non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL). In this study, we report mutation frequency and phenotype comparison of different GJB2 gene alterations in Hungarian NSHL patients. METHODS: The total coding region of the GJB2 gene was analyzed with Sanger or NGS sequencing for 239 patients with NSHL and 160 controls. RESULTS: Homozygous and compound heterozygous GJB2 mutations were associated with early onset serious clinical phenotype in 28 patients. In 24 patients, two deletion or nonsense mutations were detected in individuals with mainly prelingual NSHL. In compound heterozygous cases, a combination of deletion and missense mutations associated with milder postlingual NSHL. A further 25 cases harbored single heterozygous GJB2 mutations mainly associated with later onset, milder clinical phenotype. The most common mutation was the c.35delG deletion, with 12.6% allele frequency. The hearing loss was more severe in the prelingual groups. CONCLUSION: The mutation frequency of GJB2 in the investigated cohort is lower than in other European cohorts. The most serious cases were associated with homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations. In our cohort the hearing impairment and age of onset was not altered between in cases with only one heterozygous GJB2 mutation and wild type genotype, which may exclude the possibility of autosomal dominant inheritance. In early onset, severe to profound hearing loss cases, if the GJB2 analysis results in only one heterozygous alteration further next generation sequencing is highly recommended.

[Efficacy of assisted balance training in chronic vestibular vertigo]. / Az asszisztált egyensúlyi tréning hatékonysága krónikus vestibularis rendszeri szédülésben.

INTRODUCTION: Physicians are found to have a great and increasing amount of patients suffering of vertigo in their everyday practice. For the treatment of the balance disorders, a vestibular training was introduced which played an influential role based on our study. AIM: Our aim was to create an easy and comprehensible training program which can be performed even with a family member. METHODS: Our clinical treatment consists of intravenous vasoactive medicine administration, combined with vestibular training. For the investigation of the improvement we used the Jacobson and Newman questionnaire, and ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography. The statistical evaluation was based on ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's post method (p<0.05). RESULTS: After the combined clinical treatment, the patients' average training results showed improvement. Following the eight-day training, the patients scored higher results from day to day due to the improvement of their abilities while doing the different tasks. Moreover, the questionnaire results also showed the improvement of their status. CONCLUSIONS: By improving the brain stem circulation, combined with an assisting training program, there is a significant decrease in the complaints and an overall improvement in the quality of life, even though the imbalance cannot be cured. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(12): 470-477.

Anosmia treatment by platelet rich plasma injection.

INTRODUCTION: Platelets are known for their key role in hemostasis and controlling the bleeding after injury. The fact that platelets secrete growth factors and active metabolites means that their applied use can have a positive influence in clinical situations requiring rapid healing and tissue regeneration. OBJECTIVES: Platelet Rich Plasma has been described as a promising but unproven therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood was undergoing one stage of centrifugation. The whole blood was then separated into three layers. One ml of the lowest layer of plasma was administered to the patient's nose. RESULTS: After the third and finally the fourth therapy, 4 of 5 patients said that "their smell came back", while the remaining one patient said that he could smell a lot but not everything. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, platelet rich plasma administration to the olfactory region could be a promising, last chance therapy for complete anosmia.

[Emergency diagnosis of the acute vestibular syndrome]. / Az akut vestibularis szindróma sürgosségi diagnosztikájával szerzett tapasztalatok.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: To diagnose acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) in a prospective study by a new bedside test (providing 1A evidence) based on oculomotor analysis and assessment of hearing loss. To assess the frequency of central and peripheral causes of acute vestibular syndrome in the emergency room. To establish the diagnostic accuracy of acute cranial computed tomography as compared to oculomotor analysis done by video oculography goggles and audiometry. METHOD: Between 1st March 2016 and 1st March 2017 we documented 125 patients (62 women, 63 men, average age 53 years) in the emergency room of the Petz Aladár County Teaching Hospital using the above bedside and instrumental testing. Diagnosis was verified by cranial magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: According to the results of the instrumental examination in AVS in 67% we found a peripheral cause and in 33% a central pathology. In 62% isolated posterior circulation stroke manifested itself by isolated vertigo without additional focal signs and the acute cranial computed tomography showed negative results in 96%. The instrumental examination increased diagnostic accuracy by making the diagnosis of isolated inferior semicircular canal vestibular neuritis possible. CONCLUSIONS: The new bedside oculomotor test is suitable for the diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke manifesting with isolated vertigo in early cases, when the routine neuroradiologic methods have a lower sensitivity or are not available. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(51): 2029-2040.

[Vertigo in the Emergency Department: new bedside tests]. / Szédülés vizsgálata a sürgosségi osztályon: új, ágy melletti diagnosztikai eljárások.

According to international statistics, the first examination of 25% of patients with vertigo is carried out in Emergency Departments. The most important task of the examining physician is to diagnose life threatening pathologic processes. One of the most difficult otoneurological diagnostic challange in Emergency Departments is to differentiate between dangerous posterior scale stroke presenting with isolated vertigo and the benign vestibular neuritis.These two disorders can be safely differentiated using fast, non-invasive, evidence based bedside tests which have been introduced in the past few years. 35% of stroke cases mimicking vestibular neuritis (pseudoneuritis) are misdiagnosed at the Emergency Department, and 40% of these cases develop complications. During the first 48 hours, sensitivity for stroke of the new test that is based on the malfunction of the oculomotor system is better than the diffusion-weighted cranial magnetic resonance imaging. Using special test glasses each component of the new test can be made objective and repeatable.

Usefulness of ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography in different vestibular disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Vertigo is one of the most unpleasant symptoms. Two of the main points of the examinations are the vestibulospinal tests (Romberg test and Unterberger- Fukuda test) can be measured objectively by the ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography. OBJECTIVES: Using ultrasound-markers on head and shoulders, the ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography can measure and analyze the numerical data of statokinetic tests. The study is comparing the parameters of the vestibulospinal tests in different vestibular disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 84 patients were examined. The main parameters in the standing test are the longitudinal and sway, the torticollis angle, and the forehead covering. In the stepping test the main parameters were the longitudinal deviation, the lateral sway, the angular deviation, and the self-spin degree. The patients were divided on normal, unilateral and bilateral peripheral lesion and central lesion groups. RESULTS: The data of the longitudinal and lateral sway and the forehead covering in Romberg test are quite different in the normal and dizzy patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography is a useful method in the examination of the balance system disorders. The differential diagnostic value is not sufficient alone, we needs other investigations for the topical diagnosis of the vestibular system.

Electronystagmographic analysis of caloric test parameters in vestibular disorders.

The electronystagmographical analysis of the eye movements provoked by caloric stimulation is an important method in the evaluation and topical diagnostic procedure of several vestibular lesions. The aim of the study was to compare the electronystagmographical results of caloric response in several vestibular disorders. The patients were divided into five groups: right and left unilateral and bilateral peripheral lesions, central vestibular dysfunction, and normal vestibular function. In the normal vestibular system group the average caloric nystagmus SPV in normal vestibular system was 17.4 °/s. In the peripheral lesion groups the average slow phase velocities are decreased in the affected side, as we expected. In the compensated vestibular lesion the average ASPV of caloric nystagmus is also decreased on the unaffected side. This might be caused by the effect of the central adaptive mechanisms. According to our observations, in central dysfunctions the average caloric ASPV and the spontaneous nystagmus ASPV is increased (25.0 °/s). This suggests that in central vestibular lesions the central inhibiting mechanisms of the caloric response are impaired. Our results show that electronystagmographical analysis of spontaneous and caloric nystagmus is very important in the evaluation of dizzy patients.

Experiences with complex vestibular rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION: Vestibular rehabilitation of patients suffering from balance disorders is a long and difficult process, the exact cause of therapeutic success or failure remains often unknown. In our practice, the complex vestibular rehabilitation consists of medical treatment and rehabilitation training program. Balance training comprises mostly statokinetic exercises, however, the training of the vestibulo-ocular pathways are as important as of the vestibulospinal pathways. PATIENTS: The author used training exercises for the vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal pathways in patients who were treated with parenteral and oral vasoactive drugs. METHODS: For measuring the improvement of the patients, a modified Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire was used. RESULTS: The results show that the vasoactive medical treatment combined with optokinetic training improved the patients' condition. Our findings suggest that psychiatric status of the patients influences the outcome of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Medical treatment combined with optokinetic and statokinetic training program is effective in the rehabilitation of dizzy patients and improves the quality of life.

The diagnosis of central vestibular disorders based on the complementary examination of the vestibulospinal reflex.

OBJECTIVES: Stance and gait unsteadiness along with vertigo contribute to a central vestibular disorder. For objective analysis ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography (US-COMP-CCG) can be used. Aim of the study was to characterize the unsteadiness in central vestibular disorders and discuss the possible diagnostic usage of US-COMP-CCG. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hundred-and-ninety patients (70 male and 120 female, mean age ± SD, 58.94 ± 15.27) suffering from central vestibular disorder and 230 healthy control patients (78 male and 152 female, mean age ± SD, 50.94 ± 15.27) were enrolled. Stance and gait analysis was according to vestibulospinal tests of US-COMPCCG. IBM SPSS V24 software was used for statistical analysis. Mann-WhitneyU test and Chi-square test were used, along with sensitivity and specificity categorization. The significance level was p < 0.05. According to schematic and statistical analysis instability and postural sway were increased in the vertigo population and statistically significant difference was shown. Upon categorical analysis significant correlation was detected [standing test: longitudinal sway (p < 0.00001), lateral sway (p < 0.00001), forehead covering area parameters (p = 0.0001); stepping test: longitudinal deviation (p = 0.05), lateral sway (p = 0.011) parameters]. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider that postural instability is prominently present in this population and might be of a diagnostic importance.

A possible objective test to detect benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The role of the caloric and video-head impulse tests in the diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is characterized by vertigo lasting from seconds to minutes, induced by head movements. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of the caloric vestibular and video head-impulse tests (vHIT) diagnosing the disorder. METHODS: 68 patients suffering from posterior canal BPPV (25 male, 43 females, mean age ± SD, 54.5 ± 13.2 years) and 56 patients with a normal functioning vestibular system as control were investigated. Bithermal caloric test and vHIT was performed during the same medical check-up. Canal paresis (CP%), gain (GA) and asymmetry (GA%) parameters were calculated. RESULTS: The Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre was only positive in 4% of this population. The CP% parameter was only pathologic in two patients, and there was no significant difference between control and BPPV patients (p = 0.76). The GA value was never under 0.8 in this population, but GA% was abnormal in 63.2%. A significant difference comparing the GA% values to the control group was seen (p = 0.034). There was no correlation detected between the CP% and GA% values in BPPV. Regarding the GA% value, 61% sensitivity and 76% specificity was seen. CONCLUSION: The Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre was not often positive in the non-acute phase of BPPV; therefore, objective testing is essential. The caloric test does not have clinical significance in BPPV, but vHIT can be helpful based on the GA% parameter.

Comparative Study Between the Auditory and Vestibular Functions in Ménière's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between the loss of the cochleovestibular functions in Ménière's disease (MD). METHODS: Forty-three patients with definite MD underwent pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and caloric test. Canal paresis (CP%), dPTA (interaural difference), and average PTA results were contrasted. IBM SPSS V24 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: According to PTA, most patients were in stage C, and caloric weakness was found in 29 patients. Linear (R2 = 0.06) and nonlinear correlation tests (rho = 0.245, P = .113) between canal paresis (CP%) and dPTA showed no correlation, as well as between CP% and PTA analysis (R2 = 0.007, rho = 0.11, P = .481). As per the categorial analysis, no correlation was detected between the groups either (κ = 0.174, 95% CI: 0.0883 - 0.431). Based on the results of the analysis, it was concluded that a more advanced stage determined by audiometry does not indicate increasing values in the CP% parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Audiometric changes do not directly correspond with the vestibular ones; therefore, no specific correlation exists between them. Thus, for therapy planning and diagnosis, both tests are necessary.