Vestibular function assessment in sudden hearing loss

Abstract Objectives: To perform vestibular assessment using cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential, video head impulse test and caloric testing in patients with sudden hearing loss. Moreover, to evaluate the correlation of dizziness with vestibular tests and the correlation of vestibular tests with hearing prognosis. Methods: This is an observational, longitudinal and prospective study, including participants diagnosed with sudden hearing loss. The participants underwent cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential, video head impulse test and caloric testing. The audiometric assessment was performed at the beginning and at the end of the follow-up. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Seventeen patients were included in the study sample, with a mean age of 45.4 ± 11.1 years. Five participants (29.41%) had dizziness and 15 (88.23%) had tinnitus. All participants underwent vestibular evaluation through cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential and video head impulse test, and 13 of them were evaluated through caloric testing. The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential was considered altered in five (29.41%) participants, while 11 (64.71%) showed alterations at the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential. The video head impulse test and the caloric testing were considered altered in seven (41.18%) and five (38.46%) participants, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between the clinical data and the results of vestibular tests or hearing recovery, nor between the results of vestibular tests and hearing recovery. Conclusion: The assessment through vestibular evoked myogenic potential, video head impulse test and caloric testing showed vestibular involvement in some participants. However, it cannot be stated that the results of the vestibular tests are related to the hearing prognosis of sudden hearing loss.

Otorhinolaryngological adverse effects of urological drugs

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe the otorhinolaryngological adverse effects of the main drugs used in urological practice. Materials and Methods: A review of the scientific literature was performed using a combination of specific descriptors (side effect, adverse effect, scopolamine, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, oxybutynin, tolterodine, spironolactone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, doxazosin, alfuzosin, terazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin, desmopressin) contained in publications until April 2020. Manuscripts written in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were manually selected from the title and abstract. The main drugs used in Urology were divided into five groups to describe their possible adverse effects: alpha-blockers, anticholinergics, diuretics, hormones, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Results: The main drugs used in Urology may cause several otorhinolaryngological adverse effects. Dizziness was most common, but dry mouth, rhinitis, nasal congestion, epistaxis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and rhinorrhea were also reported and varies among drug classes. Conclusions: Most of the drugs used in urological practice have otorhinolaryngological adverse effects. Dizziness was most common, but dry mouth, rhinitis, nasal congestion, epistaxis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and rhinorrhea were also reported. Therefore, doctors must be aware of these adverse effects to improve adherence to the treatment and to minimize damage to the health of patients.

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in the prognosis of sudden hearing loss - a systematic review / O potencial evocado miogênico vestibular no prognóstico da surdez súbita - uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Introduction: Sudden hearing loss is an otorhinolaryngological emergency that often leads to severe damage to the auditory and vestibular function. The vestibular evoked myogenic potential is a test that allows a noninvasive evaluation of the otolithic system function and vestibulospinal and vestibulo-ocular pathways. Objective: To evaluate the importance of vestibular evoked myogenic potential in determining the prognosis of patients with sudden hearing loss. Methods: A search for articles published up to December 2018 was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane, VHL and LILACS databases using MeSH descriptors. Retrospective and prospective articles were included containing cervical or ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential in sudden hearing loss patients and information on associated vertigo and/or dizziness. Results: Sixteen of 62 initially selected articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Regarding the methodology of the evaluated studies, 8 studies were prospective, six were retrospective, one contained part of the data from a retrospective analysis and another part from a prospective analysis, and one study was cross-sectional. A total of 872 patients were evaluated (50.22% males and 49.77% females) with a mean age of 51.26 years. Four hundred and twenty-six patients (50.35%) had vertigo and/or dizziness associated with sudden hearing loss. The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential was performed in all studies, but only seven assessed the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential. The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential showed alterations in 38.65% of 846 evaluated ears, whereas ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential showed alterations in 47.88% of 368 evaluated ears. The hearing recovery rate was analyzed by 8 articles, with 63.4% of 410 evaluated ears showing hearing recovery. Conclusions: The studies suggest that the assessment of the vestibular system using vestibular evoked myogenic potential seems to be important in the prognosis of sudden hearing loss. For better follow-up of patients with sudden hearing loss, the emphasis should not be limited to the cochlea, but also include the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular abnormalities, regardless of the presence of vertigo.

Resumo Introdução: A surdez súbita é uma emergência otorrinolaringológica que frequentemente cursa com graves danos à função auditiva e vestibular. O potencial evocado miogênico vestibular é um exame que permite a avaliação não invasiva da função do sistema otolítico e das vias vestíbulo-espinhal e vestíbulo-ocular. Objetivo: Avaliar a importância do potencial evocado miogênico vestibular na determinação do prognóstico dos pacientes com surdez súbita. Método: Uma busca de trabalhos publicados até dezembro de 2018 foi realizada nos bancos de dados PubMed, Cochrane, BVS e Lilacs com descritores cadastrados no MeSH. Foram incluídos artigos retrospectivos e prospectivos que contivessem o potencial evocado miogênico vestibular cervical ou ocular em pacientes com surdez súbita e informações sobre vertigem e/ou tontura associados. Resultados: Dezesseis de 62 artigos selecionados inicialmente preencheram os critérios de inclusão e foram analisados. Quanto à metodologia dos trabalhos avaliados, 8 estudos foram prospectivos, seis retrospectivos, um continha parte dos dados oriunda de uma análise retrospectiva e outra parte de uma análise prospectiva e um estudo foi transversal. Foram avaliados 872 pacientes (50,22% do gênero masculino e 49,77% feminino) com média de 51,26 anos. Do total de pacientes, 426 (50,35%) apresentavam vertigem e/ou tontura associada à surdez súbita. O potencial evocado miogênico vestibular cervical foi realizado em todos os estudos, porém o potencial evocado miogênico vestibular ocular em apenas sete. O potencial evocado miogênico vestibular cervical apresentou alteração em 38,65% de 846 orelhas avaliadas, enquanto o potencial evocado miogênico vestibular ocular estava alterado em 47,88% das 368 orelhas avaliadas. A taxa de recuperação auditiva foi analisada por 8 artigos, 63,4% de 410 orelhas avaliadas apresentavam recuperação auditiva. Conclusões: Os estudos demonstram que a avaliação do sistema vestibular com o uso do potencial evocado miogênico vestibular parece ter importância no prognóstico da surdez súbita. Para melhor acompanhamento do paciente com surdez súbita a ênfase não deve se restringir à cóclea, mas também no diagnóstico e tratamento de alterações vestibulares, independentemente da presença de vertigem.