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Halmágyi GM, Akdal G, Welgampola MS, Wang C. Neurological update: neuro-otology 2023. J Neurol 2023; 270:6170-6192. [PMID: 37592138 PMCID: PMC10632253 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11922-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Much has changed since our last review of recent advances in neuro-otology 7 years ago. Unfortunately there are still not many practising neuro-otologists, so that most patients with vestibular problems need, in the first instance, to be evaluated and treated by neurologists whose special expertise is not neuro-otology. The areas we consider here are mostly those that almost any neurologist should be able to start managing: acute spontaneous vertigo in the Emergency Room-is it vestibular neuritis or posterior circulation stroke; recurrent spontaneous vertigo in the office-is it vestibular migraine or Meniere's disease and the most common vestibular problem of all-benign positional vertigo. Finally we consider the future: long-term vestibular monitoring and the impact of machine learning on vestibular diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor M Halmágyi
- Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Gülden Akdal
- Neurology Department, Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
- Neurosciences Department, Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Miriam S Welgampola
- Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chao Wang
- Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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2
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Castellucci A, Botti C, Delmonte S, Bettini M, Lusetti F, Brizzi P, Ruberto R, Gamberini L, Martellucci S, Malara P, Armato E, Renna L, Ghidini A, Bianchin G. Vestibular assessment in sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Role in the prediction of hearing outcome and in the early detection of vascular and hydropic pathomechanisms. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1127008. [PMID: 36873440 PMCID: PMC9975513 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1127008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Predicting hearing outcome in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is challenging, as well as detecting the underlying pathomechanisms. SSNHL could be associated with vestibular damage since cochleo-vestibular structures share the same vascularization, along with being in close anatomical proximity. Whereas viral inflammations and autoimmune/vascular disorders most likely represent the involved aetiologies, early-stage Menière's disease (MD) can also present with SSNHL. Since an early treatment could beneficially influence hearing outcome, understanding the possible etiology plays a pivotal role in orienting the most appropriate treatment. We aimed to evaluate the extent of vestibular damage in patients presenting with SSNHL with or without vertigo, investigate the prognostic role of vestibular dysfunctions on hearing recovery and detect specific lesion patterns related to the underlying pathomechanisms. Methods We prospectively evaluated 86 patients with SSNHL. Audio-vestibular investigation included pure-tone/speech/impedance audiometry, cervical/ocular-VEMPs, vHIT and video-Frenzel examination. White matter lesions (WML) were evaluated on brain-MRI. Patients were followed-up and divided into "SSNHL-no-vertigo," "SSNHL+vertigo" and "MD" subgroups. Results Hearing was more impaired in "SSNHL+vertigo" patients who exhibited either down-sloping or flat-type audiograms, and was less impaired in "MD" where low frequencies were mostly impaired (p < 0.001). Otolith receptors were more frequently involved than semicircular canals (SCs). Although the "SSNHL-no-vertigo" subgroup exhibited the lowest vestibular impairment (p < 0.001), 52% of patients developed otolith dysfunctions and 72% developed nystagmus. Only "MD" subjects showed anterior SC impairment and upbeating spontaneous/positional nystagmus. They more frequently exhibited cervical-VEMPs frequency tuning (p = 0.036) and ipsilesional spontaneous nystagmus (p < 0.001). "SSNHL+vertigo" subjects presented with more frequently impaired cervical-VEMPs and posterior SC and with higher number of impaired receptors (p < 0.001). They mainly exhibited contralesional spontaneous and vibration-induced nystagmus (p < 0.05) and only they showed the highest WML score and "vascular" lesion patterns (p < 0.001). Concerning the outcomes, hearing was better in "MD" and worse in "SSNHL+vertigo" (p < 0.001). Hearing recovery was mostly affected by cervical-VEMPs impairment and the number of involved receptors (p < 0.05). Patients with "vascular" lesion patterns presented with the highest HL degree and WML score (p ≤ 0.001), while none of them exhibited a complete hearing recovery (p = 0.026). Conclusions Our data suggest that vestibular evaluation in SSNHL can provide useful information on hearing recovery and underlying aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Castellucci
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Botti
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Ph.D. Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Delmonte
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Margherita Bettini
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesca Lusetti
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Brizzi
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Ruberto
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lisa Gamberini
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Malara
- Audiology and Vestibology Service, Centromedico Bellinzona, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Enrico Armato
- ENT Unit, SS. Giovanni e Paolo Hospital, Venice, Italy
| | - Luigi Renna
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Angelo Ghidini
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bianchin
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Hornibrook J, Mudry A, Curthoys I, Smith CM. Ductus Reuniens and Its Possible Role in Menière's Disease. Otol Neurotol 2021; 42:1585-1593. [PMID: 34766952 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000003352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE After 160 years the true underlying cause of Meniere's disease remains enigmatic. The aim of our study is to discuss the possible implication of an obstruction of the ductus reuniens as a cause in Menière's disease. METHODOLOGY We first conducted an historical study of the description of the ductus reuniens. We then reviewed the literature regarding ductus reuniens obstruction in animal experiments, human post-mortem studies and living ear imaging. We completed its description by modern microCT imaging. Limited knowledge on the fate of dislodged saccular otoconia is summarized. The possible implications for Meniere's attacks are discussed. RESULTS Victor Hensen was the first to describe the ductus reuniens in 1863. He described its length and width and predicted that saccular otoconia might enter the ductus and the cochlea. On microCT the narrowest width of the human ductus reuniens was 0.14 mm. The literature reports cochlear endolymphatic hydrops occurring after animal experimental obstruction of the duct. Human postmortem studies have confirmed saccular otoconial clumps entering the ductus and the cochlea. A postmortem study has shown sites of endolymphatic obstruction, and imaging speculates on blockages in ears with Meniere's disease. Dislodged utricular otoconia can be in clumps of otolithic membranes. CONCLUSION Blockages of the ductus reuniens and at other endolymphatic system sites appear to be a feature in Meniere's disease ears. The blockages have been postulated to be saccular otoconia either causing or aggravating hydrops. This could be consistent with observed nystagmus reversals during attacks as the endolymphatic sac attempts to clear the hydrops and the otoconia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Hornibrook
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Albert Mudry
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ian Curthoys
- Vestibular Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher M Smith
- Department of Anthropology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, New York, USA
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Curthoys IS, Manzari L, Rey-Martinez J, Dlugaiczyk J, Burgess AM. Enhanced Eye Velocity in Head Impulse Testing-A Possible Indicator of Endolymphatic Hydrops. Front Surg 2021; 8:666390. [PMID: 34026816 PMCID: PMC8138434 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.666390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: On video head impulse testing (vHIT) of semicircular canal function, some patients reliably show enhanced eye velocity and so VOR gains >1.0. Modeling and imaging indicate this could be due to endolymphatic hydrops. Oral glycerol reduces membranous labyrinth volume and reduces cochlear symptoms of hydrops, so we tested whether oral glycerol reduced the enhanced vHIT eye velocity. Study Design: Prospective clinical study and retrospective analysis of patient data. Methods: Patients with enhanced eye velocity during horizontal vHIT were enrolled (n = 9, 17 ears) and given orally 86% glycerol, 1.5 mL/kg of body weight, dissolved 1:1 in physiological saline. Horizontal vHIT testing was performed before glycerol intake (time 0), then at intervals of 1, 2, and 3 h after the oral glycerol intake. Control patients with enhanced eye velocity (n = 4, 6 ears) received water and were tested at the same intervals. To provide an objective index of enhanced eye velocity we used a measure of VOR gain which captures the enhanced eye velocity which is so clear on inspecting the eye velocity records. We call this measure the initial VOR gain and it is defined as: (the ratio of peak eye velocity to the value of head velocity at the time of peak eye velocity). The responses of other patients who showed enhanced eye velocity during routine clinical testing were analyzed to try to identify how the enhancement occurred. Results: We found that oral glycerol caused, on average, a significant reduction in the enhanced eye velocity response, whereas water caused no systematic change. The enhanced eye velocity during the head impulses is due in some patients to a compensatory saccade-like response during the increasing head velocity. Conclusion: The significant reduction in enhanced eye velocity during head impulse testing following oral glycerol is consistent with the hypothesis that the enhanced eye velocity in vHIT may be caused by endolymphatic hydrops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S Curthoys
- Vestibular Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jorge Rey-Martinez
- Otoneurology Unit, Otolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Julia Dlugaiczyk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ann M Burgess
- Vestibular Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Kaci B, Nooristani M, Mijovic T, Maheu M. Usefulness of Video Head Impulse Test Results in the Identification of Meniere's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:581527. [PMID: 33193038 PMCID: PMC7658335 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.581527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Meniere's disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder inducing tinnitus, aural fullness, sensorineural hearing loss, and vertigo episodes. In the past few years, efforts have been made to develop objective measures able to distinguish MD from other pathologies. Indeed, some authors investigated electrophysiological measures, such as electrocochleography and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials or imaging techniques. More recently, the video head impulse test (vHIT) was developed to assess the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). In the last few years, authors aimed at identifying how vHIT may help to identify MD. The objective of this manuscript is to review the different vHIT results in MD patients. We will discuss the usefulness of these findings in the identification of MD, how these results may be explained by pathophysiological mechanisms associated with MD, and finally provide directions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahim Kaci
- Vestibulab, School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation - Institut Universitaire sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mujda Nooristani
- Vestibulab, School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation - Institut Universitaire sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tamara Mijovic
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxime Maheu
- Vestibulab, School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation - Institut Universitaire sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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