A suitable test for identifying high risk adult patients of moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the usefulness of a 7-items questionnaire, Rome Questionnaire (RQ), in identifying adult patients at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). 136 adults (76 M, 60 F) with snoring were enrolled. Each patient underwent to an overnight polysomnography (PSG) study and the patient's bed partner answered the "RQ".

Septal cartilage graft for nasal valve incompetence associated with deviated septum.

Background: The nasal valve is one of the major factors contributing to nasal airflow obstruction. Physiologically, the nasal valve offers the greatest resistance to nasal airflow and generally functions as an inflow device controlling nasal airflow and resistance. Many patients who have complaints of breathing impairment are affected by alterations of the nasal septum, the turbinates, the columellar base, the vestibule floor, or the lateral wall of the nose but may have associated incompetence of the nasal valve, which is too often undervalued by nasal surgeons.

Nasal surgery and eustachian tube function: effects on middle ear ventilation.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of nasal obstruction surgery on eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.

Treatment of benign positional vertigo in the elderly: a randomized trial.

Objectives/hypothesis: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of three therapeutic strategies (Semont maneuver, flunarizine, and no treatment) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Study Design: Randomized prospective trial.

Methods: One hundred fifty-six consecutive patients older than 60 years of age who were affected by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal were enrolled.

Hearing thresholds in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate hearing thresholds in 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, divided according to disease activity into active (group A, n = 20) and non-active (group B, n = 18) patients. Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and complete rheumatological assessment were performed. All patients presented poorer auditory thresholds compared with controls.

Stapes surgery in relation to age.

This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of stapedotomy in relation to age. Eighty-four ears of 82 consecutive patients who underwent stapedotomy were studied. Patients were divided into five groups according to their age.

Bilateral irreversible hearing loss associated with the combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy: a unusual side effect.

The regimen with paclitaxel and platinum compound (carboplatin or cisplatin) is the standard chemotherapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Ototoxity for carboplatin and paclitaxel alone or combined is rarely observed. We report the case of a 35-year old female with advanced ovarian cancer who developed sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss related to paclitaxel and carboplatin based chemotherapy.

Stapedoplasty in patients with small air-bone gap: why not?

Otosclerosis is a primary osteodystrophy which affects a localized area within the human temporal bone. Hearing loss is the most functional deficit caused by otosclerosis. However, tinnitus and vestibular disorders are frequently reported by otosclerotic patients, especially in those patients with inner ear involvement.

Nerve growth factor serum level is reduced in patients with sensorineural hearing impairment: possible clinical implications.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the first and best characterised member of a family of neurotrophic factor. NGF is produced by numerous cells and it is present in physiologically relevant amounts in the bloodstream. It is known to promote the survival of peripheral sensory neurons and can be potentially useful as a therapeutic agent in neuronal system.

Otosclerosis and stapedoplasty in older adults.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of stapedoplasty in patients aged 60 and older, based on audiometric data and a questionnaire about quality of life.

Design: A retrospective (1994-2000) study.

Setting: People living in southern and central Italy.