Investigation of Pathogenesis and Otolithic Organ Responses in Sailors with Seasickness Using cVEMP.

There are different theories cited as the cause of Motion Sickness. Asymmetrical otolithic organ function is one of the etiology theories of motion sickness. In our study, the aim was to reveal whether there is a cause originating from the sacculocolic reflex pathway in the physiopathology of seasickness. The patient group included 15 man sailors with diagnosis of seasickness and the control group included 15 man sailors without seasickness in our study. Cervical evoked myogenic vestibular potential (cVEMP) findings were compared between the groups. In the right and left ears of sailors with seasickness, the mean latencies of the p13 and n23 waves at 100, 95, and 90 dB normal hearing level (nHL) levels were found significantly shorter than in the control group (p < 0.05, for all). In the seasickness group, cVEMP interaural wave amplitude asymmetry ratio at 100 nHL level were found significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001). The findings of our study indicated that there may be reasons arising rom the sacculocolic reflex pathway in the pathophysiology of seasickness.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta levels in recurrent and persistent otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: Based on interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels in effusions, our goals were to specify either recurrent or persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) is a mid stage in the development of chronic disease and to identify the factors that have an influence on cytokine levels. STUDY DESIGN: Samples from groups with recurrent (n = 15) and persistent (n = 39) OME were assayed for IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Children were also grouped with respect to age, sex, quality of effusion, and the presence of pharyngeal adenoid tissue. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. RESULTS: In recurrent and persistent OME groups, IL-1beta was higher than TNF-alpha (P < 0.01). IL-beta was higher in recurrent OME than in persistent OME (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Recurrent OME seems to be closer to the chronic stage of the disease relative to persistent OME in terms of higher IL-1beta levels. Each exacerbation of acute disease in recurrent otitis media is likely to be mediated by IL-1beta. SIGNIFICANCE: We were able to clarify that recurrent OME is a stage that occurs before chronic OME. Therefore, the prevention of acute attacks in recurrent disease would also impede long-term damage to the middle ear.