Sensory organization test in elderly patients with and without vestibular dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: Elderly subjects without vestibular dysfunction had an overall worse performance as compared with the group of normal adults, confirming that age has a negative impact on balance. The group of elderly subjects with vestibular dysfunction had more important balance alterations than those without, confirming that vestibular dysfunction has a major impact on balance control in the elderly. The visual and vestibular systems presented more important functional changes with ageing than the somatosensory system. OBJECTIVE: The main sensory input comes from the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems; all of them may present changes due to ageing. This study aimed to investigate the performance of vestibular, visual and somatosensory systems in aged subjects with or without vestibular dysfunction, as compared to normal adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Dynamic posturography was used in 60 elderly subjects without vestibular dysfunction (Gaa), 60 with vestibular dysfunction (Gas) and 58 normal adults (Gn). RESULTS: For condition 1 and 2 Gn performed significantly better than Gaa and Gas, with no difference between the latter. In conditions 4, 5 and 6 the performance of Gn was statistically superior to that of Gaa, which in turn, was better than that of Gas. The somatosensory responses showed no significant differences between the three groups. The performance of visual and vestibular systems showed progressive dysfunction: Gn did better than than Gaa, and Gaa did better than Gas.

Posturografia dinâmica computadorizada: avaliação quantitativa de pacientes com vestibulopatia tratados por meio de reabilitação vestibular / Computerized dynamic posturography: quantitative evaluation in patients with vestibulopathy treated with vestibular rehabilitation

Objetivo: Utilizar o Teste de Integração Sensorial (TIS) da Posturografia Dinâmica Computadorizada (PDC) como método de monitoração de pacientes com distúrbios vestibulares, tratados pela reabilitação vestibular (RV). Material e Metódo: Estudo prospectivo de 39 pacientes, com faixa etária entre 37 e 77 anos, portadores de distúrbios vestibulares, submetidos à avaliação do controle postural pela posturografia antes e após a reabilitação vestibular. Resultados: Observamos aumento dos valores de forma estatisticamente significante na condição 5 e no índice do equilíbrio que demonstram melhora da estabilidade postural. Conclusão: Os resultados mostram que o TIS da PDC é um exame adequado para quantificar a evolução da função vestibular.

Objective: To use Sensory Organization Test (SOT) by Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) as a monitoring method of analysis in patients with vestibular disorders treated with Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR). Method: A prospective study of 39 patients, aging from 37 to 77 years old, with vestibular disorders submitted to vestibular rehabilitation as treatment modality. Data was acquired by SOT by quantitative analysis before and after Vestibular Rehabilitation. Results: We observed statistically significant increase in values in condition 5, and in the equilibrium score in SOT. These results showed improvement in postural stability. Conclusion: This information shows that SOT by CDP is an adequate method to quantitative analysis to show the vestibular function increase in the Vestibular Rehabilitation.

Pharyngeal dimensions in healthy men and women.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies reveal a high male prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A possible explanation for this male predominance is the existence of anatomical differences in the upper airway between men and women. METHODS: The upper airways of 10 male and 10 female healthy volunteers were prospectively evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Anatomical pharyngeal and column cross-sectional linear measurements were made in sagittal T1 and axial T1 and T2 weighted fast spin-echo images. RESULTS: Men had significantly greater mean sagittal pharyngeal structural dimensions compared to women for all structures with the exception of the craniocaudal length of the soft palate and the thickness of the submentonian fat. In contrast, cross-sectional linear dimensions were similar in men and women with the exception of the laterolateral tongue length, which was greater in men. All mean linear measurements of the pharyngeal air column were similar in men and women at all studied levels. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women present pharyngeal air columns with similar dimensions, but in women this column is surrounded by smaller structures, which might imply a smaller effort to keep its patency. Our data suggest the existence of an anatomical protective factor in women against the upper airway collapse.

Somatic modulation of tinnitus: test reliability and results after repetitive muscle contraction training.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the reliability of tinnitus modulation by muscle contractions and to observe the effect of their prolonged repetition. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with tinnitus underwent 9 maneuvers of muscle contractions in test and retest situations. After a 2-month training period of repeating the maneuvers, tinnitus modulation and daily perception were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference between the occurrence of tinnitus modulation in test (57.9%) and retest (63.2%) situations. After 2 months, the occurrence of modulation during the maneuvers was similar (55.3%), but a new pattern showed an increase in tinnitus improvement and a decrease in tinnitus worsening. The daily perception of tinnitus was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Maneuvers of head and neck muscle contractions evoked tinnitus modulation in a frequent and reliable manner. Also, the repetition of such maneuvers for 2 months altered the pattern of modulation.

Pharyngeal dimensions in healthy men and women

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies reveal a high male prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A possible explanation for this male predominance is the existence of anatomical differences in the upper airway between men and women. METHODS: The upper airways of 10 male and 10 female healthy volunteers were prospectively evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Anatomical pharyngeal and column cross-sectional linear measurements were made in sagittal T1 and axial T1 and T2 weighted fast spin-echo images. RESULTS: Men had significantly greater mean sagittal pharyngeal structural dimensions compared to women for all structures with the exception of the craniocaudal length of the soft palate and the thickness of the submentonian fat. In contrast, cross-sectional linear dimensions were similar in men and women with the exception of the laterolateral tongue length, which was greater in men. All mean linear measurements of the pharyngeal air column were similar in men and women at all studied levels. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women present pharyngeal air columns with similar dimensions, but in women this column is surrounded by smaller structures, which might imply a smaller effort to keep its patency. Our data suggest the existence of an anatomical protective factor in women against the upper airway collapse.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos epidemiológicos demonstram alta prevalência da síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono no sexo masculino. Uma explicação plausível para esta predominância masculina é a existência de diferenças anatômicas nas vias aéreas superiores entre homens e mulheres. MÉTODOS: As vias aéreas superiores de 10 homens e 10 mulheres, voluntários saudáveis, foram avaliados prospectivamente através do exame de ressonância magnética. Foram realizadas medidas lineares das vias aéreas superiores e das estruturas da faringe através de imagens sagitais pesadas em T1 e imagens axiais pesadas em T1 e T2 com a técnica de fast spin-echo. RESULTADOS: Os homens mostraram dimensões significativamente maiores das estruturas da faringe em relação às mulheres em todas as medidas realizadas nas imagens sagitais, com exceção do diâmetro crânio-caudal do palato mole e da espessura da gordura submentoniana. Em contraste, as imagens axiais mostraram medidas similares entre os sexos, exceto o diâmetro látero-lateral da língua que foi maior nos homens. Todas as medidas da coluna aérea das vias aéreas superiores foram semelhantes nos dois sexos. CONCLUSÕES: Embora homens e mulheres apresentem vias aéreas superiores com dimensões similares, nas mulheres as estruturas anatômicas ao seu redor são menores, sugerindo um menor esforço para manter as vias aéreas superiores patentes no sexo feminino. Nossos resultados sugerem a existência de um fator de proteção anatômico contra o colapso das vias aéreas superiores nas mulheres.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy in children.

OBJECTIVES: Vestibular disturbances are underdiagnosed in children. However, balance impairment may compromise the normal development of affected children. The appropriate therapeutic approach has not been agreed on for this age group. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy has excellent results in adults, but very few data exist regarding its results in children. We evaluated through clinical assessment and computerized dynamic posturography the outcome of children with peripheral vestibular disturbances undergoing vestibular rehabilitation therapy and observed the influence of learning and of central nervous system maturation on posturography retest results. METHODS: Sixteen children (10 boys and 6 girls) with peripheral vestibular disorders (mean age, 8 yr 7 mo) constituted the cohort and were consecutively treated with vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Symptomatic children underwent pre- and posttreatment computerized dynamic posturography. Their outcome was clinically assessed. Another 16 asymptomatic children, paired by sex and age, underwent two computerized dynamic posturography procedures with the same time interval as that of the symptomatic group. RESULTS: All children completed the treatment. Total recovery of symptoms occurred in nine (56.3%) patients, whereas a dramatic partial recovery was observed in the remaining seven (43.7%) children. Posturography Conditions 5 and 6, the vestibular ratio of the sensory analysis, and the composite equilibrium score had a significant quantitative improvement after vestibular rehabilitation therapy. No adverse reactions occurred to the exercises. No statistically significant posturography changes were observed in the asymptomatic children. CONCLUSION: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy seems to be a safe and efficacious therapeutic option in children with peripheral vestibular disturbances.

Early signs of atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanisms are not completely understood. Recent studies have shown that OSA is associated with multiple markers of endothelial damage. We hypothesized that OSA affects functional and structural properties of large arteries, contributing to atherosclerosis progression. METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS: Twelve healthy volunteers, 15 patients with mild to moderate OSA, and 15 with severe OSA matched for age, sex, and body mass index were studied by using (1) full standard overnight polysomnography; (2) carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity with a noninvasive automatic device; and (3) a high-definition echo-tracking device to measure intima-media thickness, diameter, and distensibility. All participants were free of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, and were not on any medications. Patients with OSA were naive to treatment. MAIN RESULTS: Significant differences existed between control subjects and patients with mild to moderate and severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index, 3.1 +/- 0.3, 16.2 +/- 1.7, and 55.7 +/- 5.9 events/hour, respectively) in pulse wave velocity (8.7 +/- 0.2, 9.2 +/- 0.2, and 10.3 +/- 0.2 m/second; p < 0.0001), intima-media thickness (604.4 +/- 25.2, 580.2 +/- 29.0, and 722.2 +/- 35.2 microm; p = 0.004), and carotid diameter (6,607.8 +/- 126.7, 7,152.3 +/- 114.4, and 7,539.9 +/- 161.2 microm; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses showed that the apnea-hypopnea index correlated independently with pulse wave velocity and intima-media thickness variability (r = 0.61, p < 0.0001, and r = 0.44, p = 0.004, respectively), whereas minimal oxygen saturation correlated with the carotid diameter (r = -0.60, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Middle-aged patients with OSA who are free of overt cardiovascular diseases have early signs of atherosclerosis. All vascular abnormalities correlated significantly with the severity of the OSA, which further supports the hypothesis that OSA plays an independent role in atherosclerosis progression.

Adverse events and death in stroke patients admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the occurrence of adverse events in stroke patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary university facility, and to disclose the categories of adverse events associated with death. METHODS: This matched case-control study enrolled 468 patients admitted with stroke to the emergency department from March 1996 to September 1999. The cases comprised 234 consecutive deaths and the controls 234 discharged patients, matched for primary diagnosis and admission period. Adverse events, detected by chart review, were classified according to the degree of severity, immediate causes, and professional category. The association with death was analysed by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Adverse events totaled 1218 and occurred in 295 patients: 932 events (76.5%) in 170 cases and 286 (23.5%) in 125 controls. Major adverse events equaled 54.1% of all events (659 episodes): 538 events in 143 cases and 121 in 65 controls. Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and nursing activities accounted for 55.2% of events. Nursing (38.4%) and medical (31%) adverse events represented the most common related professional categories. A significant association with death was found for major adverse events, medical adverse events, and nosocomial infections, with adjusted odds ratio estimates of 3.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64-8.54], 3.71 (95% CI 1.61-8.53), and 3.22 (95% CI 1.21-8.59), respectively. CONCLUSION: Adverse events, mostly severe, predominated among deceased patients, resulting mainly from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and nursing activities. In spite of limitations concerning the observational retrospective nature of this study, we found that severe adverse events, medical adverse events, and nosocomial infections were significantly associated with death in stroke patients.

Efeitos da pressão positiva contínua em vias aéreas sobre os sintomas nasofaríngeos em pacientes com a síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono / Effects of continuos positive airway pressure on nasal and pharyngeal symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

INTRODUÇAO: Sintomas nasofaríngeos são comuns em pacientes com a síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS) em tratamento com pressão positiva contínua em vias aéreas (CPAP). No entanto, sintomas nasofaríngeos são também comuns em pacientes com SAOS antes do início do tratamento. OBJETIVO: Determinar o impacto do tratamento com CPAP nasal sobre os sintomas nasofaríngeos em pacientes com SAOS. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 35 pacientes (28 homens), com idade de 54 ±10 anos portadores de SAOS moderada a grave diagnosticada através de polissonografia. Os sintomas nasofaríngeos (espirros, coriza, prurido, obstrução, sangramento e ressecamento nasal e de garganta) foram quantificados através de questionário aplicado antes e depois de pelo menos 3 meses de tratamento com CPAP nasal. RESULTADOS: O índice de apnéia + hipopnéia foi de 50±25 eventos por hora. Ao menos um sintoma nasofaríngeo estava presente em 26 pacientes (74 por cento) antes do tratamento. A obstrução nasal foi o sintoma mais comum, presente em 18 pacientes (51 por cento). Dentre os pacientes inicialmente assintomáticos (n = 9), 78 por cento apresentaram alguma reação nasofaríngea adversa com o tratamento. Em contraste, nos pacientes inicialmente sintomáticos, houve redução significativa da intensidade da obstrução, do ressecamento nasal e de garganta e do sangramento nasal após o tratamento. CONCLUSAO: Sintomas nasofaríngeos são freqüentes em pacientes com SAOS. O uso de CPAP pode tanto desencadear sintomas nasofaríngeos em pacientes assintomáticos, como reduzir sua intensidade nos pacientes com sintomas prévios.

[Evaluation of the treatment of vestibular disorders in children with computerized dynamic posturography: preliminary results]. / Avaliação do tratamento dos distúrbios vestibulares na criança através da posturografia dinâmica computadorizada: resultados preliminares.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating dynamic posturography as an evaluation method in children with balance problems due to peripheral vestibulopathy, before and after treatment with vestibular rehabilitation, establishing its correlation with classical clinical evaluation. METHOD: Ten children (six boys and four girls) with vestibular symptoms of peripheral origin were evaluated through a complete clinical history and with dynamic computerized posturography after being treated by vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Posturographic data were analyzed and compared to standard clinical evaluation parameters. RESULTS: Dynamic posturography showed a significant improvement of condition 1 (orthostatic position, fixed support and open eyes) and 5 (orthostatic position, sway-referenced support and closed eyes) of the vestibular function and of the composite balance score. The data showed significant correlation with the clinical improvement observed. A significant reduction of proprioceptive influence was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Data showed that the dynamic posturography adds important quantitative information to the conventional clinical evaluation of vestibular symptoms, especially in children.

A utilização da videoendoscopia da deglutição para a avaliação quantitativa da duração das fases oral e faríngea da deglutição na população geriátrica / The role of videoendoscopic swallowing study in the quantitative evaluation of the oral and pharyngeal phases of deglutition in the elderly

A disfagia orofaríngea caracteriza-se por um problema de transferência do bolo alimentar da cavidade oral até o esôfago. Avanços relacionados ao entendimento fisiopatológico da disfagia e aos métodos de avaliação existentes têm proporcionado seu diagnóstico precoce e a escolha de melhores opções terapêuticas, com redução de potenciais complicações. A videofluoroscopia é considerada o "padrão-ouro" para avaliação da deglutição. A videoendoscopia da deglutição pode representar uma boa alternativa diagnóstica, sendo que seu papel na avaliação quantitativa da deglutição já está bem estabelecido na prática clínica.

Reprodutibilidade do teste de modulação somática do zumbido e resultados após treinamento com contrações musculares repetidas / Reliability os tinnitus modulation through muscle contration and results after training with repetitive contractions

Contrações musculares freqüentemente modulam a intensidade do zumbido, sugerindo a existência de conexões anatomofisiológicas entre as vias auditivas e somatossensoriais.

Avaliaçäo do tratamento dos distúrbios vestibulares na criança através da posturografia dinâmica computadorizada: resultados preliminares / Evaluation of the treatment of vestibular disorders in children with computerized dynamic posturography: preliminary results

OBJETIVO: o objetivo desta investigaçäo foi avaliar a posturografia como método de acompanhamento de crianças com vestibulopatia periférica, tratadas com reabilitaçäo vestibular, estabelecendo sua correlaçäo com a evoluçäo clínica dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: dez crianças (seis meninos e quatro meninas) portadoras de afecções vestibulares periféricas, submetidas à reabilitaçäo vestibular como forma de tratamento, tiveram sua evoluçäo clínica avaliada através de uma anamnese detalhada de seus sintomas e da realizaçäo da posturografia dinâmica computadorizada. Os dados posturográficos foram analisados e comparados à evoluçäo clínica dos pacientes estudados. RESULTADOS: observou-se, após o tratamento, melhora significativa das condições 1 (paciente em posiçäo ortostática, plataforma fixa e olhos abertos) e 5 (paciente em posiçäo ortostática, plataforma em movimento e olhos fechados) da posturografia dinâmica, da funçäo vestibular e do índice do equilíbrio, que correlacionaram-se significativamente com a melhora clínica e diminuiçäo dos sintomas dos pacientes. Observou-se, também, reduçäo significativa da influência da funçäo somatosensorial sobre o equilíbrio final da criança. CONCLUSÄO: os dados obtidos mostram que a posturografia näo substitui a avaliaçäo clínica convencional, mas agrega dados quantitativos importantes para o acompanhamento da terapia destes pacientes.

Sudden deafness and Lyme disease.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Otolaryngological manifestations are common in Lyme disease, affecting up to 75% of patients. One of these symptoms is sudden deafness. Hearing loss has been frequently described in Lyme disease; on the other hand, titers seropositive for, the causal agent of this disease, have been found in almost 20% of cases of sudden deafness. No consensual information exists on the outcome of Borrelia-seropositive patients or on the importance of determining Borrelia antibody titers. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of seropositivity for Borrelia in sudden deafness, describing clinical characteristics and outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with sudden deafness were enrolled in the study. Demographic data, the presence of tinnitus and vertigo, and low- and high-frequency pure-tone averages were recorded. The percentage of hearing recovery was determined. Data obtained from Borrelia-seropositive patients were described and compared with those from the seronegative group. RESULTS: Titers positive for antibodies were present in 21.3% of the cases. Seropositive and seronegative groups of patients were homogeneous concerning age, sex distribution, the presence of tinnitus and vertigo, and high- and low-frequency hearing thresholds. Hearing outcome was not significantly different between the groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: No distinctive clinical characteristic was found between seropositive and seronegative subjects. The hearing outcome of treated Borrelia-seropositive patients was similar to that of the seronegative group.

The influence of voluntary muscle contractions upon the onset and modulation of tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of tinnitus onset (in normal subjects) and modulation (in tinnitus patients) during muscle contractions, estimating possible risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This case-control study enrolled 121 tinnitus patients and 100 healthy volunteers who underwent medical history, ENT examination and 16 maneuvers of muscular contraction (head, neck and limbs). Modulation data were compared between patients with and without normal audiometry, well-defined diagnosis and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders. RESULTS: The ability to modulate tinnitus (65.3%) was significantly higher than that to originate tinnitus (14.0%). The head and neck musculature was significantly more efficient than that of the limbs. Audiometric pattern, well-defined etiology and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders showed no relation to tinnitus modulation. CONCLUSIONS: Somatic modulation is a characteristic aspect of tinnitus.

Comparaçäo entre a dexametasona e placebo no tratamento da paralisia facial periférica idiopática / Comparison between the dexamethasone and placebo in the treatment of idiopathic periferic facial paralysis

Foi realizado estudo prospectivo, duplo cego em 79 doentes com paralisia facial idiopática (PFPI), sem tratamento medicamentoso prévio, atendidos no grupo de paralisia facial do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Säo Paulo (HCFMUSP) no período de fevereiro de 1989 a outubro de 1990. Para estabelecermos o diagnóstico da PFPI foram realizados exames excluídos todos que apresentaram alteraçöes em qualquer desses exames. Aleatoriamente foi usado dexametasona (0,13 mg/Kg/dia) e placebo. Os doentes eram avaliados clinicamente, uma vez por semana, até a evoluçäo final do quadro. Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos de 20 pessoas, 39 pacientes foram excluídos por falta de acompanhamento ou outras patologias. Com os resultados randomizados, foi estudada a evoluçäo final do quadro e o tempo de recuperaçäo da paralisia pelo método de análise de variância. O tempo de evoluçäo final do quadro foi de 61,45 dias para o grupo de dexametasona (variando de 7 a 240 dias) e de 40,95 dias para o grupo placebo (variando de 8 a 70 dias). Os autores concluem que näo houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos quanto à qualidade de recuperaçäo do quadro