Structural connectivity changes in unilateral hearing loss.

Network connectivity, as mapped by the whole brain connectome, plays a crucial role in regulating auditory function. Auditory deprivation such as unilateral hearing loss might alter structural network connectivity; however, these potential alterations are poorly understood. Thirty-seven acoustic neuroma patients with unilateral hearing loss (19 left-sided and 18 right-sided) and 19 healthy controls underwent diffusion-weighted and T1-weighted imaging to assess edge strength, node strength, and global efficiency of the structural connectome.

Defying Deafness: Remembering Jack Ashley.

After he sustained a profound hearing loss in his only hearing ear following a routine myringoplasty, Jack Ashley became Britain's first deaf politician. His story is an inspiring one, converting a postoperative complication into a driver for success and change in the lives of millions of deaf and disabled people around the world.

Venous balloon test occlusion for pulsatile tinnitus assessment: A clinical feasibility study.

Background: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) can have huge impact on the patients' quality of life and can be associated with curable vascular anomalies. In the present study, we aim firstly to describe our protocol for venous BTO and secondly to report possible predictors for a positive BTO test.

Methods: All consecutive PT patients undergoing BTO for the purpose of determining eligibility for venous neuro-intervention were included.

Effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation therapy in patients with idiopathic Cerebellar Ataxia with Bilateral Vestibulopathy (iCABV).

Objective: To evaluate the benefit of vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) in the management of patients with idiopathic cerebellar ataxia with bilateral vestibulopathy (iCABV).

Background: iCABV is a hindbrain degenerative disorder with impairment of both central and peripheral vestibular pathways. There is combined failure of four compensatory eye movement systems including the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), optokinetic reflex, smooth pursuit and the visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VVOR).

Genomic study of a large family with complex neurological phenotype including hearing loss, imbalance and action tremor.

Neurological disorders are often associated with a variety of symptoms, which can result from the combined action of genetic variants. We conducted a whole-genome analysis of a previously unreported unique multigenerational Dutch-Canadian family with a complex phenotype presenting with a combination of hearing loss, balance issues or action tremor. Ten family members were available for genetic study.

Post-traumatic peripheral vestibular disorders (excluding positional vertigo) in workers following head injury.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo has typically been reported to be the most common cause of post-traumatic dizziness. There is however paucity in the literature about other peripheral vestibular disorders post-head injury. This article provides an overview of other causes of non-positional dizziness post-head trauma from our large institutional experience.

Post headshake nystagmus: further correlation with other vestibular test results.

Background: It is generally accepted that headshake nystagmus (HSN) is generated from an asymmetrical peripheral vestibular input and a correlation exists between HSN and canal paresis. There have been limited reports, however, how HSN correlates with the more recently introduced tests of vestibular function.

Aims/objectives: To evaluate the correlation between HSN and unilateral weakness on caloric testing, high-frequency vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function on video head impulse testing (VHIT) and otolith function determined by vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs).

Receiving Long-Term Disability or Pursuing a Legal Claim May Prevent Recovery From Chronic Dizziness.

Objectives/hypothesis: Chronic dizziness (CD) and imbalance have multiple etiologies. CD is strongly linked with psychiatric and psychological comorbidities, thus an interdisciplinary approach, including psychopharmacological interventions, is recommended. Despite the use of this comprehensive treatment approach, the recovery of individuals with CD that pursue long-term disability (LTD) insurance or legal claims (LC) appears hampered.

Contralesional High-Acceleration Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function in Vestibular Schwannoma.

Unlabelled: Impairment of ipsilesional vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function is well described in vestibular schwannoma (VS) and a correlation between gain of the VOR and tumor size has been suggested. Bilateral VOR impairment may also occur in VS patients, but its mechanisms are poorly understood. We sought to explore the effect of unilateral VS on ipsilesional and contralesional high-acceleration VOR function using video head impulse testing, and evaluate potential factors responsible for contralesional VOR impairment.

The Relationship Between Disorders of Bone Metabolism and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Several studies have reported an association between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and bone mineral density or serum vitamin D levels. The aim of this review is to provide further clarification regarding the relationship between BPPV and calcium metabolism.

Design: PubMed and MEDLINE databases were systematically reviewed to identify all English language papers regarding the relationship between BPPV and the following terms: osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone mineral density, serum vitamin D levels, and bone metabolism.

Torrents of torment: turbulence as a mechanism of pulsatile tinnitus secondary to venous stenosis revealed by high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics.

Background: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is a debilitating condition that can be caused by a vascular abnormality, such as an arterial or venous lesion. Although treatment of PT-related venous lesions has been shown to successfully cure patients of the associated 'tormenting' rhythmical sound, much controversy still exists regarding their role in the etiology of PT.

Methods: A patient presented with a history of worsening, unilateral PT.

Elevated ocular VEMP responses in the absence of a superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Background: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) have an accepted role in the diagnosis of the superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome. The current impression is that ocular VEMPs (oVEMPs) are more sensitive than cervical VEMPs (cVEMPs) for detecting a SSCD and that oVEMP testing in response to air conducted sound provides an excellent screening test without risk of radiation exposure from computerized tomography (CT).

Aims/objectives: To report on patients with elevated oVEMP amplitudes but without evidence for a SSCD on multiplanar CT imaging.

Prevalence of Cognitive and Vestibular Impairment in Seniors Experiencing Falls.

Background: Falls are a growing concern in seniors (≥65 yrs). Cognitive impairment (CI) and vestibular impairment (VI) increase fall risk. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of CI and VI in seniors experiencing falls.

Gentamicin Vestibulotoxicity: Further Insights From a Large Clinical Series.

Objective: To review insights gained from a 21-year experience with gentamicin-induced vestibulotoxicity including differences in vestibulotoxicity between single daily dosing (SDD) and multiple daily dosing (MDD) regimens.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Long-Term Outcomes from Blind Sac Closure of the External Auditory Canal: Our Institutional Experience in Different Pathologies.

Objectives: This study reports long-term results of blind sac closure of the external auditory canal performed for various pathologies, compares the complication rates and the need for revision surgery.

Materials And Methods: This study is a retrospective review. Ninety-six cases of blind sac closure performed for various pathologies were included in this study.

Management of invasive intralabyrinthine cholesteatoma: Can one realistically preserve hearing when disease is medial to the otic capsule?

Purpose: To report our long-term results in surgical management of invasive intralabyrinthine cholesteatoma.

Material And Methods: The study is a case series in a tertiary referral center. Retrospective chart review of all mastoid operations performed for chronic ear disease between 1994 and 2019 at University Health Network, Toronto.

Interdisciplinary integration of nursing and psychiatry (INaP) for the treatment of dizziness.

Objectives: The traditional medical care model of "assess and refer" requires revamping to address the multifaceted needs of patients with chronic dizziness and imbalance by adopting an interdisciplinary approach to care that integrates nursing and psychiatry (INaP). We aim to present a novel interdisciplinary approach that incorporates INaP in the care of patients with chronic dizziness and imbalance.

Methods: Presentation of an interdisciplinary model of care that incorporates INaP provided at the Toronto General Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Interdisciplinary integration of nursing and psychiatry (INaP) improves dizziness-related disability.

Objectives/hypothesis: The traditional medical care model of "assess and refer" in a sequential fashion fails to recognize the complexities that arise due to overlapping physical and psychiatric comorbidities experienced by patients with chronic dizziness or imbalance, thus resulting in inadequate treatment outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel interdisciplinary approach to care that integrates nursing and psychiatry (INaP) on dizziness-related disability.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Vestibular Exercises as a Fall Prevention Strategy in Patients with Cognitive Impairment.

Vestibular impairment (VI) and cognitive impairment (CI) are risk factors for senior falls. We tested the feasibility of a self-directed 12-week vestibular rehabilitation (VR) program in Memory Clinic patients (65 years+) with a fall, CI and VI. We assessed recruitment, exercise adherence and ability to complete questionnaires/assessments.

Aminoglycoside Vestibulotoxicity.

Many pharmaceuticals have ototoxicity (both cochlear and/or vestibular) as part of their adverse medication profile. The aminoglycoside class of antimicrobials has been especially well studied in this regard. Many questions remain unanswered as to how to best monitor and prevent this complication.