Pharmacological interventions for prophylaxis of vestibular migraine.

Background: Vestibular migraine is a form of migraine where one of the main features is recurrent attacks of vertigo. These episodes are often associated with other features of migraine, including headache and sensitivity to light or sound. These unpredictable and severe attacks of vertigo can lead to a considerable reduction in quality of life.

Pharmacological interventions for acute attacks of vestibular migraine.

Background: Vestibular migraine is a form of migraine where one of the main features is recurrent attacks of vertigo. These episodes are often associated with other features of migraine, including headache and sensitivity to light or sound. The unpredictable and severe attacks of vertigo can lead to a considerable reduction in quality of life.

Non-pharmacological interventions for prophylaxis of vestibular migraine.

Background: Vestibular migraine is a form of migraine where one of the main features is recurrent attacks of vertigo. These episodes are often associated with other features of migraine, including headache and sensitivity to light or sound. These unpredictable and severe attacks of vertigo can lead to a considerable reduction in quality of life.

Non-pharmacological interventions for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD).

Background: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic balance disorder, which is characterised by subjective unsteadiness or dizziness that is worse on standing and with visual stimulation. The condition was only recently defined and therefore the prevalence is currently unknown. However, it is likely to include a considerable number of people with chronic balance problems.

Pharmacological interventions for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD).

Background: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic balance disorder, which is characterised by subjective unsteadiness or dizziness that is worse on standing and with visual stimulation. The condition was only recently defined and therefore the prevalence is currently unknown. However, it is likely to include a considerable number of people with chronic balance problems.

Lifestyle and dietary interventions for Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease is a condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. Lifestyle or dietary modifications (including reducing the amount of salt or caffeine in the diet) are sometimes suggested to be of benefit for this condition. The underlying cause of Ménière's disease is unknown, as is the way in which these interventions may work.

Intratympanic corticosteroids for Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease is a condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. Corticosteroids are sometimes administered directly into the middle ear to treat this condition (through the tympanic membrane). The underlying cause of Ménière's disease is unknown, as is the way in which this treatment may work.

Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease is a condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. Aminoglycosides are sometimes administered directly into the middle ear to treat this condition. The aim of this treatment is to partially or completely destroy the balance function of the affected ear.

Systemic pharmacological interventions for Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease is a condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. A number of pharmacological interventions have been used in the management of this condition, including betahistine, diuretics, antiviral medications and corticosteroids. The underlying cause of Ménière's disease is unknown, as is the way in which these treatments may work.

Surgical interventions for Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease is a condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. First-line treatments often involve dietary or lifestyle changes, medication or local (intratympanic) treatments. However, surgery may also be considered for people with persistent or severe symptoms.

Positive pressure therapy for Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease is a condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. It is often treated with medication, but different interventions are sometimes used. Positive pressure therapy is a treatment that creates small pressure pulses, generated by a pump that is attached to tubing placed in the ear canal.

Frey's syndrome: A review of the physiology and possible role of neurotrophic factors.

Objectives: Frey's syndrome (FS) describes the phenomenon of gustatory sweating and is a cause of significant social embarrassment for sufferers. It has been attributed to aberrant growth of parasympathetic salivatory fibers in the auriculotemporal nerve toward overlying sweat glands. However, the exact mechanism behind this growth is unknown.

Does incidental mastoid opacification on computerized tomography necessitate referral to ENT?

Objective: The prevalence of incidental temporal bone disease on magnetic resonance imaging has been widely reported in the medical literature. Despite this, there currently is little evidence regarding incidental otological disease on computerized tomography (CT). Thus, the study aimed to review the CT prevalence of asymptomatic adult ear disease and evaluate the appropriateness of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) referral following its discovery.

Analysis of Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous with Antimicrobial Treatment in Injection Drug Users, Scotland, 2009-2010.

We studied anthrax immune globulin intravenous (AIG-IV) use from a 2009-2010 outbreak of Bacillus anthracis soft tissue infection in injection drug users in Scotland, UK, and we compared findings from 15 AIG-IV recipients with findings from 28 nonrecipients. Death rates did not differ significantly between recipients and nonrecipients (33% vs. 21%).

An unusual basal skull injury resulting in CSF leak and a novel method to repair.

We report a case of accidental intracranial insertion of a foreign body through the nose resulting in dural tear and subsequent CSF leak. We also describe the surgical approach to remove it and a new method to seal the dural defect.

A frog in the throat? An expansile mass presenting in the neck with dysphonia.

A neck mass, which rapidly increases in size over several weeks, is concerning for all involved. When accompanied by other symptoms suggesting sinister underlying pathology, efficient management and rapid diagnosis are vital. The causes may include primary or metastatic carcinoma, or lymphoreticular malignancy.

Novel method for safe cauterisation of posterior epistaxis.

Introduction: In epistaxis, anterior bleeding points are easily cauterised under direct vision, but those which occur in the posterior nose present a greater challenge. Standard cautery techniques limit simultaneous use of other equipment in the narrow posterior nose.

Methods: This article presents a novel device which combines suction, cautery stick and sheath in one single-handed implement for ease of use.