Searching for just a few words should be enough to get started. If you need to make more complex queries, use the tips below to guide you.
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Picciotti, Pasqualina M.a; * | Fiorita, Antonellaa | Di Nardo, Waltera | Quaranta, Nicolaa; b | Paludetti, Gaetanoa | Maurizi, Maurizioa
Affiliations: [a] Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy | [b] ENT Clinic, Department of Ophtalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, University of Bari, Italy
Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Pasqualina M. Picciotti, Istituto di Clinica ORL, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168 Roma-Italy. Tel.: +39 0630154439; Fax: +39 063051194; E-mail: pmpicciotti@rm.unicatt.it
Abstract: In this study, we investigated whether vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and dynamic posturography (DP) are useful in the evaluation of the vestibular function in patients affected by active monoaural Menière's disease (MD) treated with intratympanic gentamycin. Twelve subjects affected by monoaural MD were treated with weekly intratympanic injections of 0.5 ml of gentamycin at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. VEMPs were used to test saccular function, while postural control was analyzed by DP. The results obtained with these two techniques were compared with those obtained by using bithermal caloric test. The mean follow-up was 15.3 months (6–28 months). Therapy resulted in complete absence of the caloric response in six subjects (50) and in caloric test-induced asymmetry in the remaining individuals, ranging from 83 to 27. At follow-up, eleven patients (91.6%) were free of vertigo, while one patient had two vertigo spells 9 months after treatment. Before treatment, VEMPs were present in the affected ear of eleven patients. After treatment VEMPs were absent in all the patients. At the end of follow-up, reappearance of VEMPs was observed in two patients, with no changes in latency values and amplitude ratio. DP demonstrated a reduction of the Composite Score (CS) one week after therapy, with a prevalent reduction of the vestibular component. After 6 months, there was an improvement of the CS and, in particular, of the vestibular component. The present study demonstrates that bithermal caloric test and VEMPs allow for the functional evaluation of both the horizontal semicircular canal and the sacculus, suggesting that these techniques might be used together to monitor the efficacy of intratympanic gentamycin therapy. In addition, our data indicate that DP might provide important information on compensation phenomena and show that intratympanic gentamycin can improve postural control in MD patients.
Keywords: VEMPs, dynamic posturography, gentamycin, Menière's disease
DOI: 10.3233/VES-2005-15304
Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 161-168, 2005
IOS Press, Inc.
6751 Tepper Drive
Clifton, VA 20124
USA
Tel: +1 703 830 6300
Fax: +1 703 830 2300
sales@iospress.com
For editorial issues, like the status of your submitted paper or proposals, write to editorial@iospress.nl
IOS Press
Nieuwe Hemweg 6B
1013 BG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 688 3355
Fax: +31 20 687 0091
info@iospress.nl
For editorial issues, permissions, book requests, submissions and proceedings, contact the Amsterdam office info@iospress.nl
Inspirees International (China Office)
Ciyunsi Beili 207(CapitaLand), Bld 1, 7-901
100025, Beijing
China
Free service line: 400 661 8717
Fax: +86 10 8446 7947
china@iospress.cn
For editorial issues, like the status of your submitted paper or proposals, write to editorial@iospress.nl
如果您在出版方面需要帮助或有任何建, 件至: editorial@iospress.nl