Otological manifestations in pregnant women - A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India

Objective Measurements of Nasal Obstruction and Eustachian Tube Function in Pregnant Women

Background: Hormonal changes during pregnancy have a substantial effect on the swelling of the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity, resulting in rhinitis and Eustachian tube dysfunction. The aim of the study was to assess subjective and objective changes in nasal cavity and Eustachian tube patency in the third trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The study group included fifty 18-41 year-old women in the third trimester of pregnancy. The control group consisted of 25 females aged 25 to 31 who were not pregnant. The Eustachian tube and nasal cavity patency examination was carried out using a rhinomanometer, a tympanometer and a SNOT-22 Questionnaire. Results: The SNOT-22 showed that subjective nasal obstruction was assessed as strong or worse by 42% of the study group, which was significantly higher than in the control group and confirmed with rhinomanometry. A total of 68% of the study group reported a subjective ear fullness which correlated with the week of pregnancy. The tympanometry showed that all pregnant women exhibited a type A tympanogram, but tympanometry values decreased at higher weeks of pregnancy, and statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference between the study group and the control group in tympanometry for both ears. Conclusions: The results highlight the substantial impact on both subjective and objective measurements of nasal and Eustachian tube patency. Almost every woman in the third trimester of pregnancy experiences nasal obstruction, and nearly 70% struggle with ear fullness. Recognizing and addressing these challenges are pivotal for ensuring the well-being of pregnant individuals and enhancing the quality of antenatal care.

Comparison of Functional Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Follicular and Luteal Phase in Young Girls

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to compare the possible functional involvement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in the follicular and luteal phases.

METHODS

The research was carried out at a university located in eastern Turkey. The study included 37 healthy female volunteering students aged 18-25 years. The functional head impulse test was applied twice in the follicular phase and in the luteal phase, and the results in both phases were compared.

RESULTS

In the functional head impulse test, statistically significant differences were obtained between the follicular phase and the luteal phase at the stimulus to the lateral semicircular canal direction total and 6000°/s2 acceleration percentage of correct answers values, the posterior semicircular canal direction stimulations at 3000°/s2 and 5000°/s2 acceleration percentage of correct answers values, and the anterior semicircular canal direction stimulations at 5000°/s2 acceleration percentage of correct answers values.

CONCLUSION

In the luteal phase, which corresponds to the period before menstruation, the vestibulo-ocular reflex is functionally negatively affected.

Hemotympanum as a Complication of a Valsalva Maneuver during Childbirth

Background

Hemotympanum may occur due to otic barotrauma secondary to Valsalva maneuver during the second phase of labor. A pressure differential across the tympanic membrane (TM) of about five psi can cause rupture. The increased intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressure spikes repeatedly manifested by "pushing" during second-stage labor easily approach (and may exceed) this level. Clinical Presentation. This case report describes a healthy thirty-seven-year-old multipara patient admitted for the 40-weeks' gestational age routine follow-up that proceeded to active labor followed by an aural fullness and bloody otorrhea. Otoscopic examination with a light microscope confirmed the hemotympanum of the right tympanic membrane.

Conclusion

Forceful Valsalva can cause hemotympanum. Investigating the benefits and disadvantages of the pushing methods could help reduce such complications in the future. A prompt evaluation of an otolaryngologist should be requested in the event of a new postpartum hearing disturbance or bloody otorrhea.

A Systematic Review of Vertigo: Negligence in Pregnancy

From conception to childbirth, there are many physical, hormonal, and psychological changes that a woman undergoes during pregnancy. During this time, balance is also affected, resulting in symptoms like vertigo and unsteadiness. These symptoms can lead to physical impairment and disability and can develop at any time. Vertigo in pregnancy has not been extensively written about. The subject of a narrative review is vertigo in pregnant patients. In pregnant women, hormonal alterations in the peripheral tissues and inner ear organs may contribute to vertigo. Meniere's disease, mild convulsive positional dizziness, and oculomotor migraines are all commonly exacerbated by pregnancy. Between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, specific modifications to proprioception and hearing are also detected during physical examination. Patients who are pregnant typically experience these symptoms throughout this time. Some vertigo conditions can worsen during pregnancy, while others can appear at any time. Understanding audio-vestibular symptoms' pathological and clinical relationship during pregnancy requires more study.

Vertigo in Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

During pregnancy, physical, hormonal, and psychological changes may occur from conception to labor. Balance is also impacted throughout this time, leading to symptoms such as vertigo and unsteadiness. These symptoms may appear at any time and can cause disability and physical impairment. Little has been published about vertigo in pregnancy. We performed a narrative review of vertigo in pregnant patients. Vertigo in pregnant females may be associated with hormonal changes in peripheral structures and inner ear organs. Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraine, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are usually exacerbated during pregnancy. Specific changes to hearing and proprioception in the physical examination are also noted between the second and third trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms are usually seen in pregnant patients throughout this time. Some types of vertigo may be exacerbated and others may present at any time of pregnancy. Further research is needed to understand the clinical and pathological association of audiovestibular symptoms during pregnancy.

Audio-vestibular disorders and pregnancy: A systematic review

PURPOSE

During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many physiological changes that involve all systems and organs, including sensory ones. We conducted this systematic review to highlight current evidence and treatment options in pregnant women with audio-vestibular disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was made on the following databases: PubMed, PubMed Central, Web of Science and Scopus. This research protocol was deposited in the PROSPERO Database.

RESULTS

After application of inclusion-exclusion criteria, 30 manuscripts were included in the review. Many authors (14/15) found a slight alteration of audiometric tests during pregnancy, with a reported recovery postpartum in most of the studies (5/7). Regarding sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), we found four articles for a total of 69 patients: the treatment of choice was intravenous Dextran 40 and intra-tympanic corticosteroids. Most included studies (4/6) found neither clinical nor epidemiological associations between otosclerosis and pregnancy in large-based sample studies. Few investigations regarded Eustachian tube function and vertigo.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, many variations of hearing acuity during pregnancy are slight and transient and require only clinical observation. In large samples, otosclerosis appeared not to be associated with pregnancy. Clinicians should consider intra-tympanic steroids in managing SSNHL during pregnancy. Further more accurate research is needed to deepen and clarify the association between pregnancy and audio-vestibular disorders.