When alarm bells ring: emergency tinnitus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for those suffering from tinnitus who seek emergency aid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review has been performed on articles from the last 30 years. RESULTS: It is important to activate medical or surgical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, in order to safeguard and rehabilitate the various functions affected. Psychiatric comorbidity is the most frequent pathological condition of those with serious or catastrophic tinnitus. In these cases, mortality risk is linked to suicide, morbidity to tinnitus-correlated distress. CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus, mainly linked to loss of hearing, is a frequent symptom among the population at large. About 7% of those affected by tinnitus turn to their doctor to solve their problem, while between 0.5 and 2% request urgent medical assistance. Their cry for help may be the result of an acute onset of tinnitus or the rapid impairment of an already chronic condition. Tinnitus is not considered an urgent ear, nose and throat (ENT) condition by the Associazione Otorinolaringologi Ospedalieri Italiani (AOOI) [Italian Association of Hospital ENT], even though there are many pathological conditions, sometimes serious, associated with tinnitus and emergency action is necessary to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality

A case report of osteochondroma of the frontotemporosphenoidal suture.

Osteochondroma, also known as osteocartilaginous exostosis, is the most frequent benign bone tumour of the skeletal system. Despite its preference for long bones (tibia and femur), osteochondroma may occur in some short bones developing endochondral ossification. Seventy-five percent of the patients present only with a single lesion, whereas 25% have multiple lesions; this last clinical condition, defined as osteochondromatosis (disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance) shows a high risk of malignant transformation (about 11%). In the craniofacial area this tumour is very rare. The sites of predilection are the coronoid process and mandibular condyle, even though osteochondromas arising from the base of the skull, maxillary sinus and zygomatic arch have been previously described. However, an osteochondroma originating from the frontotemporosphenoidal suture has not been reported before in the literature. We present a unique case of osteochondroma of the frontotemporosphenoidal suture. Moreover, the relevant international literature has been reviewed and all diagnostic and surgical matters have been discussed

[An updated guide on drugs inducing ototoxicity, tinnitus and vertigo].

The argument of the iatrogenic side effects of pharmacological origin that can cause ototoxic effects or only disacustic symptoms like the tinnitus, without consequent degenerative effects, is enlarged in these last years. It is because of the great knowledge based on the careful attention from the pharmaceutical institutions which are responsible for the control of medicines and drugs. In the medical practice and in that specialty field born the need to gather, also in consideration of the possible medico-legal implications, those elements which will suppose the risk of otologic side effects. This will allow the physicians to evaluate the possible clinical advantage of a treatment, in their own field of competence, balancing them with their possible side effects in the otologic field. For this purpose, we have elaborated some updated lists of drugs with possible side effects of ototoxicity, tinnitus and vertigo; furthermore, we considered these drugs as could theoretically have influence on the auditory neurochemical progressing since they have excitatory or inhibitory action on the neurotransmitters and their receptors, but not signaled by the sources of institutional information

Pharmacological drugs inducing ototoxicity, vestibular symptoms and tinnitus: a reasoned and updated guide

The present work on drug-induced ototoxicity, tinnitus and vertigo represents the update and revision of a previous guide to adverse drug reactions for italian physicians (2005). The panorama of drug-induced side effects causing ototoxicity or symptoms such as tinnitus or dizziness and vertigo has enlarged in recent years, thanks to a better knowledge and a more specific attention of pharmaceutical firms and drug-control institutions. In daily clinical practice, there is a need for the family physician and the ENT specialist or audiologist (also in consideration of the possible medico-legal implications) to focus the attention on the possible risk of otological side effects. This would allow a clinical risk-benefit evaluation, weighing the possible clinical advantage in their field of competence against possible otological side-effects. The list of active ingredients and drugs is subdivided in categories based on their audiological and otoneurological side-effects, that have been signaled by the drug companies and/or ministerial notes. Drugs have also been subcategorized with regards to the field in which they are applied, the therapeutic indications and the clinical behaviour. They have also been organized in alphabetical order, for an easier consultation. The guide above, even if initially conceived for being used in Italy, also presents a more general and international interest, expecially as for as the concepts of pharmacology and the features of the active ingredients are concerned. The guide is, therefore, useful as for as we are concerned to any physician, regardless of the country he/she operates in