Audiovestibular Manifestations in Patients with Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon and Raynaud's Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis.

Objectives: To address the prevalence of audiovestibular disorders in patients with primary Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP). A series of patients with primary RP and secondary RP in the context of systemic sclerosis (SSc) were compared with healthy controls.

Methods: A prospective multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted in several Otolaryngology and Rheumatology Divisions of tertiary referral hospitals, recruiting 57 patients with RP and 57 age- and gender-matched controls.

What could posturography tell us about balance in essential tremor?

Background: Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder characterized primarily by action tremor. Balance impairments in ET patients were formerly considered to be uncommon and simply age-related. However quantitative assessment with posturography has revealed impairments in control of both static and dynamic balance.

Comparative Analysis of the Efficiency of Two Treatment Protocols for Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Background And Objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vertigo of labyrinthine origin, its social and healthcare impact is remarkable. It has recently been shown that single session treatment is as safe and effective as weekly treatment, which could have impact on direct and indirect costs related to the disease. The objective of this study is to determine whether single session treatment of unilateral posterior canal BPPV canalolithiasis is more efficient than conventional treatment.

Video Head Impulse Test in Darkness, Without Visual Fixation: A Study on Healthy Subjects.

Objective: The head impulse test (HIT) is triggered by the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), complemented by the optokinetic and pursuit systems. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of individualizing the VOR contribution to the HIT.

Design: Thirty-six healthy individuals (19 males, 17 females; age 21-64 years, mean 39 years) underwent horizontal video HIT (vHIT).

Comparative analysis of the efficiency of two treatment protocols for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Background And Objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vertigo of labyrinthine origin, its social and healthcare impact is remarkable. It has recently been shown that single session treatment is as safe and effective as weekly treatment, which could have impact on direct and indirect costs related to the disease. The objective of this study is to determine whether single session treatment of unilateral posterior canal BPPV canalolithiasis is more efficient than conventional treatment.

Can Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Be Treated in a One Session?

Objective: To determine the reliability and safety of posterior canal BPPV (pc-BPPV) treatment with subsequent assessment of the effectiveness of the maneuver in a single session, compared to the classic weekly procedure.

Method: A prospective study of two randomized groups of unilateral pc-BPPV was performed: a weekly management group (27 patients) and single-session treatment group (26 patients). The number of maneuvers required to clear pc-BPPV, incidence of side effects (re-entries and canal conversions), and recurrence rates were compared.

Carotid plaque is a predictor of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: Carotid disease, measured as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque (CP), is associated with major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in people without the previous atherosclerotic disease; however, there are few published data in patients undergoing coronary angiography. The aim of the study is to determinate if the carotid disease is associated with MACCE after coronary angiography.

Methods: A total of 390 consecutive patients underwent coronary angiography after exercise echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography between 2002 and 2013.

Does patient environment have any influence on balance?

Background: Although patient environment is a factor to consider when planning a vestibular rehabilitation program, there are no studies correlating this factor to outcomes of balance assessment.

Aim: To evaluate whether there are differences in objective evaluation of balance in elderly patients at risk of falls according to the environment in which they live (urban or rural) and their lifestyle (considering cardiovascular risk factors).

Methods: Cross-sectional study of a sample of 139 elderly patients with high risk of falls assessed with objective outcome measures: Computer Dynamic Posturography (CDP), and the modified Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test; and subjective outcome measures: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (short FES-I).

Carotid plaque is a predictor of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Introduction: Carotid disease, measured as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque (CP), is associated with major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in people without the previous atherosclerotic disease; however, there are few published data in patients undergoing coronary angiography. The aim of the study is to determinate if the carotid disease is associated with MACCE after coronary angiography.

Methods: A total of 390 consecutive patients underwent coronary angiography after exercise echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography between 2002 and 2013.

Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography.

Background: Obesity is a major health problem due to its high prevalence. The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease is unclear. Some studies agree that certain conditions associated with obesity, such as physical inactivity or cardiovascular risk factors, are responsible for cardiovascular risk excess among obese people.

Usefulness of carotid ultrasonography in the assessment of coronary artery disease extension in patients undergoing exercise echocardiography.

Objectives: To evaluate whether carotid disease is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) extension in patients undergoing treadmill exercise stress echocardiography (EE).

Methods: We retrospectively studied 156 patients without previous vascular disease who underwent EE, carotid ultrasonography, and coronary angiography between 2002 and 2013. Low-, intermediate-, and high-risk EE were defined as negative, localized ischemia, and multivessel/extensive ischemia EE respectively; carotid disease according to Mannheim and American Society of Echocardiography Consensus and CAD extension from zero to three vessel disease as stenosis ≥50% by visual assessment.

Usefulness of carotid ultrasonography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing exercise echocardiography.

Background: Relationship between carotid and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing invasive and non-invasive test is unclear. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether carotid disease is associated with CAD in patients submitted to exercise echocardiography (EE) and if it improves the EE ability to predict CAD.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 156 subjects without previous vascular disease who underwent EE, carotid ultrasonography and coronary angiography between 2002 and 2013.

Treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. A clinical review.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent episodic vestibular disorder. It is due to otolith rests that are free into the canals or attached to the cupulas. Well over 90% of patients can be successfully treated with manoeuvres that move the particles back to the utriculus.

Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Otoneurology Committee of Spanish Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Consensus Document.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the most frequent episodic vestibular disorder. The purpose of this guide, requested by the committee on otoneurology of the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, is to supply a consensus document providing practical guidance for the management of BPPV. It is based on the Barany Society criteria for the diagnosis of BPPV.

Genetic profile of second primary tumors and recurrences in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: Second primary tumors and recurrences are an important problem in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic changes in tumor samples to improve knowledge of tumor progression.

Methods: Copy number changes of 37 genes were analyzed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in 36 primary tumors and their corresponding 21 second primary tumors and 15 recurrences.

Radiation-induced sarcomas of the head and neck.

The aim of this study was to report our experience on the management of radiation-induced sarcomas (RISs). A retrospective study from 1994 to 2003 was done at our institution reviewing the medical records of 5 patients who had RISs. Five patients diagnosed of head and neck cancer received irradiation to treat their diseases.

[Tumour recurrence in squamous head and neck cancer].

Introduction: For most patients with squamous head and neck cancer (HN-SCC), locoregional tumour recurrence (TR) carries an extremely poor prognosis and is therapeutically challenging.

Objective: To define the clinical aspects of TR and their implication on the survival in patients with HN-SCC.

Patients And Method: The clinical management and the outcome of 652 patients with HN-SCC were reviewed.