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The Neuroradiology Journal Feb 2023This review evaluates the current evidence for the clinical management of congenital internal carotid artery hypoplasia (CICAH). We summarise clinical presentations... (Review)
Review
This review evaluates the current evidence for the clinical management of congenital internal carotid artery hypoplasia (CICAH). We summarise clinical presentations diagnostic standards, imaging recommendations, treatment and follow-up. The review was prompted by a case of CICAH in a 50-year-old female who presented to our neurosurgery clinic with an acute episode of vertigo. The patient underwent CT angiogram, which showed an unusually low right carotid bifurcation. The right internal carotid artery (ICA) was hypoplastic, and the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was absent. Skull base CT showed an ipsilateral hypoplastic carotid canal. To summarise current evidence for clinical management of CICAH we followed PRISMA guidelines to identify papers meeting our predefined inclusion criteria. We searched three databases using the terms 'ICA' and 'Hypoplasia'. We reviewed 41 papers meeting our criteria. 34 were clinical reports. We performed a data extraction and quality appraisal on these reports. We found that CICAH may be less rare than previously described. Blood pressure control in CICAH is crucial due to the increased risk of stroke and aneurysm formation. Follow-up imaging is strongly recommended. Carotid doppler sonography is a powerful and underutilised diagnostic tool, and carotid canal hypoplasia is not a pathognomic sign. In conclusion, clinicians should be alert to anatomic variations such as CICAH because these produce haemodynamic changes that may have serious clinical consequences. We recommend a central registry of patients with CICAH in order to understand the longer-term natural history of the condition.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Arteries; Anterior Cerebral Artery; Stroke; Cerebral Angiography
PubMed: 35713190
DOI: 10.1177/19714009221108668 -
International Archives of... Apr 2022Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease associated with a rise in the level of blood glucose. Individuals with diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop hearing... (Review)
Review
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease associated with a rise in the level of blood glucose. Individuals with diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness due to macro- and microvascular complications. The extent to which auditory and vestibular functions are impaired in individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus is still under debate. To systematically review studies focusing on auditory and vestibular functions in individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus. A search was conducted in the PubMed, MedlinePlus, Ingenta Connect and Google Scholar databases for articles published until June 2019. A total of 15,980 articles were primarily retrieved, 33 of which were shortlisted based on the inclusion criteria set by the investigators for the systematic review. Out of 33 full-length articles, 26 evaluated the functioning of the auditory system, while 7 evaluated the functioning of the vestibular system. Most studies related to auditory functioning reported a significant effect of type-2 diabetes mellitus on the peripheral auditory system, whereas studies on vestibular functioning reported no significant effect of diabetes mellitus on the functioning of the peripheral vestibular end-organ. Overall, the results of various audiological and peripheral vestibular tests reveal distinctive peripheral and/or central auditory and vestibular end-organ impairments in individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus.
PubMed: 35602282
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726041 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2022Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used in the treatment of cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) based on their empirical effectiveness and safety. Herein, we...
BACKGROUND
Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used in the treatment of cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) based on their empirical effectiveness and safety. Herein, we reviewed and evaluated the clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of CHMs for CGD.
METHODS
Among the relevant studies published in 11 electronic databases up to December 2021, only randomised controlled trials were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials, and the strength of evidence for the main outcomes was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation system.
RESULTS
All 35 included randomised controlled trials with 3,862 participants were conducted with six types of modified CHM and four types of active controls. More than half of the included studies were of low quality because of the high risk of bias due to deviations from intended interventions. CHM plus active control was more effective in the treatment of CGD than active control alone. CHM plus anti-vertigo drugs, CHM plus manual therapy, CHM plus acupuncture therapy, and CHM plus manual and acupuncture therapy were all effective in treating CGD, with CHM plus manual and acupuncture therapy showing the most reliable effect. All CHMs were effective for specific patterns of CGD when administered with active controls, with Dingxuan Tang and Yiqi Congming Tang demonstrating the most reliable effects. No serious adverse events were reported in any of the included studies.
CONCLUSION
The current evidence suggests that CHM may enhance the treatment of CGD when combined with other treatments without serious adverse events. Further high-quality evidence is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
PubMed: 35586689
DOI: 10.1155/2022/2425851 -
PloS One 2022This systematic review aims to evaluate whether point-of-care emergency physicians, without special equipment, can perform the HINTS examination or STANDING algorithm to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This systematic review aims to evaluate whether point-of-care emergency physicians, without special equipment, can perform the HINTS examination or STANDING algorithm to differentiate between central and non-central vertigo in acute vestibular syndrome with diagnostic accuracy and reliability comparable to more specialized physicians (neuro-ophthalmologists and neuro-otologists). Previous research has concluded that emergency physicians are unable to utilize the HINTS examination with sufficient accuracy, without providing any appropriate education or training. A comprehensive systematic search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane CENTRAL register of controlled trials, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Google Scholar, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and conference programs and abstracts from six medical organizations. Of the 1,757 results, only 21 were eligible for full-text screening. Two further studies were identified by a manual search of references and an electronic search for any missed studies associated with the authors. Five studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. For the STANDING algorithm, there were two studies of 450 patients who were examined by 11 emergency physicians. Our meta-analysis showed that emergency physicians who had received prior education and training were able to utilize the STANDING algorithm with a sensitivity of 0.96 (95% confidence interval: 0.87-1.00) and a specificity of 0.88 (0.85-0.91). No data was available for the HINTS examination. When emergency physicians are educated and trained, they can use the STANDING algorithm with confidence. There is a lack of evidence regarding the HINTS examination; however, two ongoing studies seek to remedy this deficit.
Topics: Acute Disease; Algorithms; Humans; Physicians; Point-of-Care Systems; Reproducibility of Results; Vertigo
PubMed: 35511910
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266252 -
The Journal of International Advanced... Mar 2022Nowadays, immunosuppressant drugs are widely used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation and to treat autoimmune diseases. Ototoxicity related to...
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, immunosuppressant drugs are widely used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation and to treat autoimmune diseases. Ototoxicity related to immunosuppressant drugs has been anecdotally reported but scarcely investigated. The aim of this investigation was to systematically review the available data on ototoxicity due to immunosuppressant therapy for transplantation or autoimmune disease.
METHODS
A search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) was performed in order to identify studies concerning otovestibular toxicity due to immunosuppressant therapy for transplantation or autoimmune disease between January 1980 and November 2020.
RESULTS
Eighteen articles were considered eligible for the review. Totally 131 patients experienced ototoxicity related to immunosuppressive treatment. Hearing loss was the most common clinical manifestation (128 cases) and was mainly bilateral. Tinnitus was reported in 52 cases and vertigo in 2. The immunosuppressant drugs most frequently involved in ototoxic manifestations were calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine and tacrolimus), often related to their high serum levels.
CONCLUSION
Immunosuppressant-related ototoxicity is clinically relevant in uncommon but definitely challenging situations. Clinicians should be aware of this and inquire about hearing impairment symptoms during therapy and refer symptomatic patients to an otolaryngologist/audiologist. Further large-scale, prospective investigations are necessary to better characterize the ototoxicity of each class of immunosuppressants.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Hearing Loss; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Ototoxicity; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 35418366
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2022.21416 -
The Journal of Manual & Manipulative... Oct 2022Patients with cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) present with dizziness, cervical spine dysfunctions, and postural imbalance, symptoms that can significantly impact their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Patients with cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) present with dizziness, cervical spine dysfunctions, and postural imbalance, symptoms that can significantly impact their daily functioning.
OBJECTIVES
To provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients with CGD.
METHODS
Three databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (last search 15 May 2021). Outcome measures included dizziness, cervical spine, and balance parameters. Cochrane standard methodological procedures were used and included the RoB 2.0 and GRADE. Where possible, RCTs were pooled for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Thirteen RCTs (n = 898 patients) of high (two RCTs), moderate (five RCTs), and low (six RCTs) methodological quality were analyzed. Six RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Only three RCTs specified the cause of CGD. They showed inconsistent findings for the effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with traumatic CGD. Manual therapy and manual therapy combined with exercise therapy may reduce CGD, cervical spine, and balance dysfunctions.
CONCLUSION
There is moderate quality of evidence that manual therapy reduces CGD, cervical spine, and balance symptoms. When manual therapy is combined with exercise therapy, the positive effect on CGD, cervical spine, and balance symptoms is even stronger. However, the quality of the evidence here is very low.
Topics: Cervical Vertebrae; Dizziness; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Vertigo
PubMed: 35383538
DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2022.2033044 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Feb 2022This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training in acute vestibular neuritis and to improve the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training in acute vestibular neuritis and to improve the clinical therapeutic effect in vestibular nerve disease.
METHODS
We performed a literature search of the PubMed, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and other databases from the date of establishment of the database until the present. The search terms included "mecobalamin", "vestibular rehabilitation training", "vestibular rehabilitation therapy", and "vestibular neuritis". References of the comparative study of vestibular rehabilitation training and vestibular rehabilitation training combined with mecobalamin were screened. Boolean logic retrieval was adopted, and Review Manager software was employed.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis was conducted on a total of four studies with a low risk of bias. The activities specific balance confidence scale (ABC) scores of the two groups were heterogeneous (Chi2=8.56, I2=88%, P=0.003), and a fixed-effect model (FEM) analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the ABC between the groups after treatment (Z=0.67, P=0.50). It may be that mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training effectively alleviated the symptoms of vestibular neuritis in the experimental group, thereby reducing the canal paresis (CP) value. In addition, there was no heterogeneous dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) between the groups after treatment (Chi2=20.75, I2=86%, P=0.0001); finite element method (FEM) analysis showed that the DHI of the experimental group after 6 months of treatment was notably lower compared to that of the control group (Z=3.20, P=0.001).
DISCUSSION
Mecobalamin combined with vestibular rehabilitation training can effectively improve vertigo and other symptoms of acute vestibular neuritis patients, with high effectiveness and safety.
Topics: Dizziness; Humans; Vertigo; Vestibular Neuronitis; Vitamin B 12
PubMed: 35249325
DOI: 10.21037/apm-21-3171 -
Physiotherapy Research International :... Apr 2022Musculoskeletal disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally, but their role in patients with dizziness and imbalance is not well understood or...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Musculoskeletal disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally, but their role in patients with dizziness and imbalance is not well understood or explored. Such knowledge may be important as musculoskeletal pain and dizziness can mutually influence each other, leading to a complex condition requiring more comprehensive approaches to promote successful recovery. We conducted a systematic review to examine the extent and characteristic of reported musculoskeletal pain in patients with dizziness.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Amed, Google Scholar, SveMed+, and Web of Science was conducted in March 2021. Inclusion criteria were studies examining patients with a vestibular diagnosis, patients with cervicogenic dizziness and patients included based on having dizziness as a symptom; and reported musculoskeletal pain. Data regarding age, sex, sample size, diagnosis and musculoskeletal pain was extracted. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool was used for assessing methodical quality of the included studies.
RESULTS
Out of 1507 screened studies, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total sample consisted of 1144 individuals with dizziness. The frequency of patients reporting pain ranged between 43% and 100% in the included studies. Pain intensity were scored between 5 and 7 on a 0-10 scale. Pain in the neck and shoulder girdle was most often reported, but musculoskeletal pain in other parts of the body was also evident.
DISCUSSION
In the included studies, musculoskeletal pain was highly prevalent in patients with dizziness, with pain intensity that may have a moderate to severe interference with daily functioning. Pain in the neck and shoulder is well documented, but there are few studies addressing musculoskeletal pain in additional parts of the body. More research is needed to understand the relations between dizziness and musculoskeletal pain.
Topics: Dizziness; Humans; Musculoskeletal Pain; Neck; Prevalence; Shoulder
PubMed: 35191148
DOI: 10.1002/pri.1941 -
Audiology & Neuro-otology 2022It has been suggested that vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal are involved in the etiology of audio-vestibular symptoms. Several...
It has been suggested that vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal are involved in the etiology of audio-vestibular symptoms. Several studies have focused on the compression of the eighth cranial nerve by vascular loops but have yielded contradictory results regarding their clinical significance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vascular loops in this region correlate with audio-vestibular symptoms and which loop features - if any - can potentially lead to symptom manifestation. This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We performed on PubMed a literature search from November 2005 to October 2020. The search strategy included the following keywords ("vascular loops" OR "AICA loops" OR "vascular compression syndrome") AND ("hearing loss" OR "tinnitus" OR "vertigo"). Fifteen studies were eligible and included in the analysis. Overall, the studies encompassed a total of 11,788 patients included in this review. The significantly larger group of patients (70%), in which no correlation of symptoms with vascular loops was found, suggests that vascular loops are probably anatomic variations in a substantial majority of cases with an uncommon subset causing some audio-vestibular symptoms. Even within the papers claiming a correlation, there is a multitude of symptoms that did not correlate with vascular loops. It has been suggested by most authors that magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to exclude the role of a vascular loop in the etiology of audio-vestibular symptoms only when vascular compression syndrome is suspected based on clinical indications and not routinely. Further studies would be useful in order to detail the relationship between the vascular structures and the nervous system.
Topics: Cerebellopontine Angle; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tinnitus; Vertigo; Vestibule, Labyrinth; Vestibulocochlear Nerve
PubMed: 35176744
DOI: 10.1159/000521792 -
Laryngoscope Investigative... Feb 2022As the population ages and implantation criteria are relaxed, more patients with complex comorbidities are becoming eligible for cochlear implantation (CI). These... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
As the population ages and implantation criteria are relaxed, more patients with complex comorbidities are becoming eligible for cochlear implantation (CI). These patients have higher risks associated with general anesthesia. This systematic review assesses outcomes and complications following CI under local anesthetic to examine utility for patients deemed not suitable or at high risk for general anesthesia.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis performed according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched were MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov. There were no limitations on year of publication or language.
RESULTS
Then, 132 unique were identified. After screening abstracts and full texts for eligibility criteria a total of 18 articles were included. In the nine studies where audiological data were reported, all patients demonstrated improvement in audiological outcomes following implantation under local anesthetic (LA). Only minor complications of transient vertigo, wound infection, facial nerve paralysis, confusion, and tinnitus were reported but all were transient. Meta-analysis showed surgical time was significantly shorter under LA.
CONCLUSIONS
CI under LA is safe for patients with comorbidities which preclude them from general anesthesia, with minimal complications and an improved cost-effectiveness profile. However, larger scale, robust trials are required to assess this further.
PubMed: 35155802
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.720