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Castellucci A, Dumas G, Abuzaid SM, Armato E, Martellucci S, Malara P, Alfarghal M, Ruberto RR, Brizzi P, Ghidini A, Comacchio F, Schmerber S. Posterior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence with Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Reduction for the Affected Canal at the Video-Head Impulse Test: Considerations to Pathomechanisms. Audiol Res 2024; 14:317-332. [PMID: 38666899 PMCID: PMC11047701 DOI: 10.3390/audiolres14020028] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Posterior semicircular canal dehiscence (PSCD) has been demonstrated to result in a third mobile window mechanism (TMWM) in the inner ear similar to superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). Typical clinical and instrumental features of TMWM, including low-frequency conductive hearing loss (CHL), autophony, pulsatile tinnitus, sound/pressure-induced vertigo and enhanced vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials, have been widely described in cases with PSCD. Nevertheless, video-head impulse test (vHIT) results have been poorly investigated. Here, we present six patients with PSCD presenting with a clinical scenario consistent with a TMWM and an impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) for the affected canal on vHIT. In two cases, an additional dehiscence between the facial nerve and the horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) was detected, leading to a concurrent VOR impairment for the HSC. While in SSCD, a VOR gain reduction could be ascribed to a spontaneous "auto-plugging" process due to a dural prolapse into the canal, the same pathomechanism is difficult to conceive in PSCD due to a different anatomical position, making a dural herniation less likely. Alternative putative pathomechanisms are discussed, including an endolymphatic flow dissipation during head impulses as already hypothesized in SSCD. The association of symptoms/signs consistent with TMWM and a reduced VOR gain for the posterior canal might address the diagnosis toward PSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Castellucci
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Georges Dumas
- EA 3450 DevAH–Development, Adaptation and Handicap, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, 54500 Nancy, France;
| | - Sawsan M. Abuzaid
- Otorhinolaryngology Department, Royal Medical Services, Amman 11855, Jordan;
| | - Enrico Armato
- Ph.D. Program in Development, Adaptation and Handicap, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France;
| | | | - Pasquale Malara
- Audiology & Vestibology Service, Centromedico, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Mohamad Alfarghal
- Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Section, Surgery Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah 21556, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Rosanna Rita Ruberto
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (R.R.R.); (P.B.)
| | - Pasquale Brizzi
- Audiology and Ear Surgery Unit, Azienda USL—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (R.R.R.); (P.B.)
| | - Angelo Ghidini
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Comacchio
- ENT Unit, Regional Vertigo Specialized Center, University Hospital of Padova, Sant’Antonio Hospital, 35039 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sébastien Schmerber
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, 38043 Grenoble, France;
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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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Castellucci A, Martellucci S, Malara P, Botti C, Del Vecchio V, Brandolini C, Ferri GG, Ghidini A, Armato E. Possible pathomechanisms accounting for both sound/pressure-induced eye movements and video head impulse test data in superior canal dehiscence. Acta Otolaryngol 2021; 141:749-753. [PMID: 34236943 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2021.1944664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Castellucci
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Malara
- Audiology and Vestibology Service, Centromedico, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Cecilia Botti
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Del Vecchio
- UOC Audiology and Vestibology, University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Brandolini
- ENT and Audiology Unit, DIMES, S.Orsola - Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Ferri
- ENT and Audiology Unit, DIMES, S.Orsola - Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angelo Ghidini
- ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Enrico Armato
- ENT Unit, SS Giovanni e Paolo Hospital, Venice, Italy
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