Stance instability in preclinical SCA1 mutation carriers: A 4-year prospective posturography study.

Objective: We aimed to study postural balance in preclinical Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) mutation carriers to identify and observe specific motor functional deficit before evident clinical manifestation.

Methods: Participants were 9 asymptomatic SCA1 mutation carriers (6M/3F), aged 31.8±7years (range 22-44), and 17 age-matched non-carrier controls (5M/12F) (age 18-42).

Audiovestibular disorders as autoimmune reaction in patients with melanoma.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer derived from neuroectodermal melanocytes. Melanocytes are present in the skin and hair follicles, as well as in the eye (iris and choroids), the leptomeninges, the anal canal and the inner ear. In the inner ear melanocytes are found both in the intermediate layer of the stria vascularis of the cochlea and in the dark cells of the vestibular organs.

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in Ménière disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to focus on patients suffering from cochleo-vestibular disorder with and without Ménière disease (MD) in order to verify whether chronic cerebrospinal drainage abnormalities could play a role in the etiopathogenesis of endolymphatic hydrops.

Methods: Fifty-two volunteers were enrolled and subdivided into two groups: 24 definite MD and 28 not-MD. Both magnetic resonance venography imaging with contrast-enhanced imaging of the venous cerebrospinal system (MRV) and venous echo-color Doppler (ECD) were performed.

Ménière disease and gluten sensitivity: recovery after a gluten-free diet.

We report the case of a 63-year-old female with definite unilateral Ménière disease, osteoarthritis of the distal finger joints with mucous cysts and Heberden's nodes, and constipation with recurrent abdominal pain whose symptoms remitted after 6months of a restrictive gluten-free diet.

Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and chronic venous cerebrospinal insufficiency: a case report.

Objectives: We report a case of bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) in a patient suffering from chronic venous cerebrospinal insufficiency (CCSVI).

Methods: Audiometric testing confirmed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with hypoexcitability to caloric stimulation on the left side and echo-colour Doppler examination showed abnormal cerebral venous deficiency.

Results: The patient's condition improved after 15 days following medical treatment.