Vestibular Impairment in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma: A Journey through the Pitfalls of Current Literature

Vestibular Schwannoma is the most common tumour of Ponto Cerebellar Angle and is capable of strongly impacting the patient's quality of life. In recent decades, the proposals for the management of the disease have multiplied, just as the diagnostic capacity has improved. While in the past, the primary objective was the preservation of the facial function, and subsequently also of the auditory function, the attention to the vestibular symptomatology, which appears to be one of the main indicators of deterioration of quality of life, is still unsatisfactory. Many authors have tried to provide guidance on the best possible management strategy, but a universally recognized guideline is still lacking. This article offers an overview of the disease and the proposals which have advanced in the last twenty years, evaluating their qualities and defects in a critical reading

Diabetes Mellitus and Hearing Loss: A Complex Relationship

Background and Objectives: Discussion is open about the relationship between diabetes (DM) and hearing loss (HL). There is a lot of evidence in the literature suggesting a causal link between these conditions, beyond being considered simple comorbidities. The difficulty in identifying populations free from confounding factors makes it difficult to reach definitive conclusions on the pathophysiological mechanisms at play. Nonetheless, there is numerous evidence that demonstrates how the population affected by DM is more affected by sensorineural HL (SNHL) and exhibit a higher prevalence of idiopathic sudden sensorineural HL (ISSNHL). Materials and Methods: Articles reporting potentially relevant information were reviewed, and the most significant results are discussed in this article. Starting from the possible mechanisms relating to auditory impairment in the diabetic condition, this article summarizes the studies on auditory evaluation in subjects with DM1 and DM2 and addresses the relationship between DM and ISSNHL. Results: DM is considered a risk factor for SNHL, although some studies have reported no relationship when the associations were adjusted for age, gender, and hypertension. Macro and microvascular insults that cause decreased blood flow, oxygen exchange, and ion transport are major complications of hypertension and DM and can have a direct effect on the sensory and support cells of the cochlea. Conclusions: Given the difficulty of carrying out studies on populations without confounding factors, new laboratory studies are strongly required to clarify which specific physiopathological mechanisms underlie the diabetic damage caused to the hearing organs and how pharmacological management may contribute to counteracting the pathophysiological effects of the diabetic condition on the auditory system

Instrumental Assessment and Pharmacological Treatment of Migraine-Related Vertigo in Pediatric Age

Background: The most frequent form of vertigo in pediatric age is represented by vertigo linked to migraine, with a prevalence of 32.7%. This group of pathologies has received a redefinition of the diagnostic criteria to adapt them to the pediatric age with a new classification of the clinical pictures. We have several kinds of problems with these conditions that often have a significant impact on patients’ and parents’ quality of life: the diagnostic approach involves different tools for the different age groups contained in the pediatric range; the treatment of this type of vertigo is not consolidated due to the limited availability of trials carried out on pediatric patients. Focusing on this topic, the aim of this review was to provide an update on the more recent clinical advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Vestibular Migraine (VM) in children. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases for articles published in English from January 2015 to April 2023. The secondary search included articles from reference lists, identified by the primary search. Records were first screened by title/abstract, and then full-text articles were retrieved for eligibility evaluation. The searches combined a range of key terms (“Pediatric” AND “Childhood” AND “dizziness” OR “vertigo” AND “vestibular”). Results: Migraine-related vertigo, in its most recent definitions and classifications, is the most frequent group of balance pathologies in pediatric age. The results from the various experiences present in the literature suggest a clinical approach to be integrated with the use of instrumental tests selected according to the age of the patient and the reliability of the results. Conclusion: Knowing the timeline of the applicability of vestibular tests and the information that can be obtained from them is fundamental for diagnostic accuracy. Therapy is strongly conditioned by the limited availability of pediatric trials and by the wide range it includes, from very young children to adolescents

Audiovestibular Disorders after COVID-19 Vaccine: Is There an Association?

The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign is probably one of the most historic public hygiene measures in modern medicine. The drama of the pandemic has forced the scientific community to accelerate the development and commercialization of vaccines, thereby enhancing the phases of active surveillance. Among the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reported, those of an audiovestibular interest, such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo, constitute a very small percentage. There are many plausible etiological hypotheses, and scientific research needs to pay more attention to the correct collection of data, which up until now have often been inadequate and fragmented, on which to base future studies. SSNHL, new onset tinnitus, vertigo, and dizziness require a prompt evaluation, while the proposed treatment is the same as it is for events unrelated to vaccination. These are uncommon adverse events, and the risk rates for these diseases have not increased in conjunction with the COVID-19 vaccinations, therefore there is no justification of any hesitation towards the vaccination campaign

Vestibular Disorders after Kidney Transplantation: Focus on the Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Vertical Nystagmus Associated with Tacrolimus-Related Hypomagnesamia

The purpose of this paper is to present the case of a patient undergoing kidney transplantation who developed limb tremor dizziness and vertical nystagmus (ny) during Tacrolimus (TAC) therapy and to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the balance disorder. This case study regards a 51-year old kidney transplant male patient with hand tremors and lower limbs asthenia associated with dizziness and nausea. The symptoms started two months after the beginning of intravenous TAC for renal transplantation. The pure-tone audiometry showed a mild symmetrical high-frequencies down-sloping sensorineural hearing loss. Acoustic emittance measures showed a normal tympanogram; stapedial reflexes were normally elicited. The Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) and Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (c-VEMPs) were bilaterally normally evoked. The bedside vestibular examination showed spontaneous down-beating stationary persistent, omni-positional nystagmus, not inhibited by fixation. The Head-Shaking Test accentuates the spontaneous ny. The horizontal clinical head impulse test was negative, bilaterally. A biochemical blood test revealed a decrease in Magnesium (Mg) levels (0.8 mg/dL; normal range 1.58-2.55). The integration of Mg induced both a plasma levels normalization and an improvement of clinical symptoms. This case suggests that TAC treatment can induce a Mg depletion that caused the transient cerebellar lesion. Therefore, the monitoring of serum electrolytes during immunosuppressive treatment appears to be a useful tool in order to reduce the central system symptomatology

The Pharmacological Treatment of Pediatric Vertigo

Vertigo in children is a challenging topic. The lack of dedicated trials, guidelines and papers causes inhomogeneity in the treatment of vertigo in children. Meniere’s disease, migraine equivalents, vestibular neuritis, paroxysmal positional benign vertigo (BPPV), persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) and motion sickness may affect children with various degrees of incidence and clinical severity compared to adults. Several drugs are proposed for the management of these conditions, even if their use is subordinated to the child’s age. In this review, we summarize the existing evidence related to the use of drugs for this clinical condition in children as a start point for new trials, stating the urgent need for international guidelines

Comparison between overlay and underlay primary myringoplasty: retrospective analysis on anatomical and functional results in 497 adult patients

Retro-auricular approach using an autologous graft is the main surgical method for myringoplasty (MPL). Endaural and transcanal or endoscopic approaches are also used. There is no definitive consensus on the best MPL surgical technique. The aim of this study is to compare the two most used technique, over and underlay MPL, to evaluate the difference in anatomical and functional outcomes

Nutraceuticals for Peripheral Vestibular Pathology: Properties, Usefulness, Future Perspectives and Medico-Legal Aspects

Vestibular disorders may generate complex signs and symptoms, which may alter patients’ balance and the quality of life. Dizziness and vertigo can strongly affect daily activities and relations. Despite the presence of conventional drugs, maneuvers, and surgery, another interesting therapeutic opportunity is offered by nutraceuticals. These molecules are often used in the treatment of dizziness and vertigo, but the rationale of their application is not always solidly demonstrated by the scientific evidence. Several substances have shown a variable level of efficacy/usefulness in this field, but there is lack of important evidence for most of them. From a medico-legal point of view, specific information must be provided to the patient regarding the efficacy and possibilities that the use of these preparations can allow. Administering the right nutraceutical to the proper patient is a fundamental clinical skill. Integrating conventional drug treatment with nutraceutical administration seems to be easy, but it may be difficult considering the (in part unexplored) pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of nutraceuticals. The aim of the scientific community should be to elevate nutraceuticals to the same law and technical dignity of conventional drugs