The effect of MemoVigor 2 on recent-onset idiopathic tinnitus: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Tinnitus is a common symptom associated with the conscious perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external or internal sound source, which can severely impact quality of life. Because of the current limited understanding of the precise pathophysiological mechanism of idiopathic tinnitus, no curable treatment has been attained yet. A food supplement trading as MemoVigor 2, which contains a combination of therapeutic ingredients with mainly antioxidant activity, has been used in the treatment of tinnitus.

The Clinical Significance of Pollen and Fungi Concentrations for Allergic Rhinitis: A Three-Year Study.

Introduction: The relationship between disease severity and exposure to allergens in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients is not fully clarified presently. We aimed to detect the correlation between airborne pollen and fungi concentrations in a Mediterranean region with symptom scores.

Methods: A total of 98 patients suffering from AR rated their symptoms at the time of exacerbation using the Total 5 Symptoms Score (T5SS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Three-year pollen and fungi calendar in a Mediterranean region of the Northeast Greece.

Introduction And Objectives: Pollen calendars have been proved clinically important in allergic disease management, as differences in airborne allergens exist not only between different countries but also between regions of the same country as well. This study aims to provide new data regarding the atmospheric pollen and fungi content of a Mediterranean region (Western Thrace/North-East Greece) and discuss seasonal trends, differences in pollen grains and fungi spores' circulation over the years, and correlations with climate parameters.

Material And Methods: A 7-day continuously running volumetric trap was used to collect circulating pollen grains and fungi spores.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly: current insights.

Balance disorders, unsteadiness, dizziness and vertigo in the elderly are a significant health problem, needing appropriate treatment. One third of elderly patients with vertigo were diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common cause of dizziness in both primary care specialist Neurology and Ear Nose Throat settings. BPPV presents a specific paroxysmal positional nystagmus which can be obtained using the appropriate diagnostic positional test and can be treated effectively using specific therapeutic maneuvers.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Secondary to Mild Head Trauma.

Objectives: We studied the clinical characteristics, nystagmographic findings, and treatment outcome of a group of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) secondary to mild head trauma and compared them with a group of patients with idiopathic BPPV.

Methods: The medical records of 33 patients with BPPV associated with mild head trauma were reviewed. Data of a complete otolaryngological, audiological, neurotologic, and imaging evaluation were available for all patients.

Duration of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as a predictor for therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic significance of the duration of disease in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods: We studied all patients with idiopathic BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal who were treated during 3 consecutive years, divided into 2 groups: those with recent disease onset (within 4 weeks) and those with more remote disease onset. Outcome of treatment by repositioning maneuver and rate of recurrence were compared.

Ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials using air-conducted sound: test parameters and normative data in healthy children; effect of body position on threshold.

In the present prospective study, we both investigated positioning techniques for the enhancement of oVEMP procedures and the viability of oVEMP testing in a healthy children population. A total of 41 healthy children were enrolled in this study. 21 were boys and 20 were girls, with their ages ranging from 4 to 16 years.

Predictors of quality of life improvement in allergic rhinitis patients after sublingual immunotherapy.

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been described as a significant intervention in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). However, factors that may predict treatment outcomes with respect to quality of life (QoL) results and mainly the role of olfactory function are still being underestimated. In this study, we investigated determinants that best predict treatment outcomes for QoL, exploring mainly the role of olfaction.

Demographic correlates of anxiety and depression symptoms in chronic sinonasal diseases.

Objectives: To explore mental health of patients with olfactory loss due to chronic sinonasal diseases and investigate the effects of age-, gender-, and socio-economic variables on anxiety and depression symptoms.

Methodology: One hundred and eight patients (62 males; mean age: 39.78 ± 16.

Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after tonsillectomy.

Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema is a rare complication of tonsillectomy that often resolves spontaneously but may progress to obstruct upper airways or spread to the thorax causing pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax. The mechanisms by which subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum may develop after tonsillectomy are poorly understood. A case of a 21-year-old female undergoing routine adenotonsillectomy, who developed cervicofacial emphysema and pneumomediastinum, is presented.

A longitudinal study of changes in distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and pure-tone thresholds in an industrial setting.

In a longitudinal study of 76 noise-exposed industrial workers, 34 (68 ears) of them were available for final evaluation after 9 years of observation. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DP) at 65/55 dB SPL and pure-tone audiometry were used to detect noise-induced inner ear changes. Repeated measures analyses of variance were made on the subjects and in a control group, whereas significant threshold shifts (STS) and significant emission shifts (SES) were calculated.

Predictors of quality of life outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis after sinus surgery.

The predictive value of olfaction for quality of life (QoL) recovery after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is still underestimated. The aim of this study was to explore the proportion of patients suffering from CRS who experience clinically significant QoL improvement after ESS and identify pre-operative clinical phenotypes that best predict surgical outcomes for QoL, focusing mainly on the role of patients' olfaction. One hundred eleven patients following ESS for CRS and 48 healthy subjects were studied.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo secondary to vestibular neuritis.

The aim of this study was to present the demographic, pathogenetic and clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) secondary to vestibular neuritis (VN). The medical records of 22 patients, who presented with BPPV within 12 weeks after the onset of VN, were reviewed. Data of a complete otolaryngological, audiological, neurotologic and imaging evaluation were available for all patients.

Cochlear dysfunction in patients with acute hypothyroidism.

The effect of acute hypothyroidism on the cochlear function was studied prospectively, in a group of 52 patients with thyroid carcinoma who underwent total thyroidectomy. All patients were examined before surgery and 6-8 weeks postoperatively. During this period there was no replacement with levothyroxine and the magnitude of thyroxin depletion was monitored by serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.

Inner ear dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Objectives: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is associated with various oculomotor, vestibular, and auditory abnormalities. However, auditory system investigation has been mainly performed with the subjective method of pure-tone audiometry. In this study, a detailed vestibular and audiological evaluation was undertaken, including the objective and more sensitive method of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs).

Influence of cochlear implantation on the vestibular function.

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of cochlear implantation on vestibular function. The function of the horizontal semicircular canal, the saccular function, and the incidence of vestibular symptoms were assessed before and after cochlear implantation. Twenty unilaterally cochlear implant patients were evaluated preoperatively, 1 and 6 months postoperatively, with caloric testing with electronystagmography (ENG) recordings and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing.

Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions in children with otitis media with effusion.

Introduction. Otitis media with effusion is a common pediatric disease whose diagnosis is based on pneumatic otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, and tympanometry. The aim of this study was to evaluate transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions in the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion as compared to tympanometry.

Subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Objective: To study the demographic, clinical, pathogenetic, and nystagmographic features and treatment outcomes of subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with multiple canal involvement.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to describe the frequency and clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with multiple canal involvement and to evaluate the results of treatment by appropriate canalith repositioning procedures.

Materials And Methods: A total of 345 patients were referred for BPPV between 2006 and 2010. Thirty-two of them (9.

Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss caused by alcohol abuse and heroin sniffing.

Objective. Acute or chronic heroin abuse has been associated with various central neurologic pathologies and, occasionally, with peripheral nervous system damage. The effect of heroin on hearing has not been adequately documented, although several cases with sudden hearing loss owed to heroin abuse have been reported.

Diagnosis of Single- or Multiple-Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo according to the Type of Nystagmus.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common peripheral vestibular disorder encountered in primary care and specialist otolaryngology and neurology clinics. It is associated with a characteristic paroxysmal positional nystagmus, which can be elicited with specific diagnostic positional maneuvers, such as the Dix-Hallpike test and the supine roll test. Current clinical research focused on diagnosing and treating various types of BPPV, according to the semicircular canal involved and according to the implicated pathogenetic mechanism.

Study of allergic rhinitis in childhood.

Allergic rhinitis is common among children and quite often represents a stage of the atopic march. Although sensitization to food and airborne allergens may appear in infancy and early childhood, symptoms of the disease are usually present after age 3. The aim of this study was to determine the most frequent food and indoor and outdoor respiratory allergens involved in allergic rhinitis in children in the region of Piraeus.