Acoustic neuroma neurophysiologic correlates: vestibular-preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative.

By the nature of their origin, acoustic neuromas always result in some degree of vestibular dysfunction. The implications of this are typically more notable postoperatively, rather than preoperatively or intraoperatively. However, preoperative vestibular assessment can have implications on operative approach and postoperative rehabilitation.

Evaluation of dizziness in the litigating patient.

Evaluation of dizziness in patients who are involved in litigation can deviate significantly from the evaluation of patients who have no ongoing litigation. This article presents the basic principles of the physician's role in the evaluation of litigating patients. Considerations for physical examination, diagnostic testing, and review of medical records are discussed.

The relationship between the modified somatic perception questionnaire and dynamic platform posturography.

Objective: To analyze if patients whose vestibular symptoms are associated with nonorganic sway patterns show more evidence of somatization and/or malingering than patients whose vestibular symptoms are associated with normal or physiologically abnormal sway patterns observed in people with documented vestibular pathologic findings.

Patients: One hundred fifteen patients with complaints of vestibular dysfunction and hearing impairment.

Interventions: Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and completion of the Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ)--a validated test for the detection of malingering.

Chronic suppurative otitis media, caloric testing, and rotational chair testing.

Objective: To determine the incidence of caloric and rotational chair testing (ROT) abnormalities in a group of patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and to correlate caloric test results with ROT.

Patients: Twenty-five patients with CSOM with or without cholesteatoma who were to undergo tympanomastoid surgery.

Interventions: Caloric and ROT.