scholarly journals Vestibular Test Results of a Patient with Cerebral Microangiopathy and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (08) ◽  
pp. 620-626
Author(s):  
Bre Myers ◽  
Deirdre Creegan ◽  
Elisa Hoyos

Abstract Background Cerebral microangiopathy (CM) is a general term for small ischemic changes related to small blood vessels in the brain. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare acquired autoimmune disease that is characterized by low platelet count and increased risk of hemorrhage. We describe vestibular testing completed on a 64-year-old patient with CM and ITP presenting with complaints of general instability and listing while walking, decreased stability in dark environments, and blurred vision with head movement. Results indicated a severe loss of horizontal semicircular canal function bilaterally with a somatosensory-dependent pattern of postural instability. Purpose This case emphasizes the importance of vestibular testing to determine the level of involvement of the vestibular system in the patient's symptomatology with known CM. Due to the increased risk of severe injury in those with ITP and the unknown effects this may have on the vestibular and balance systems, what is known about the pathophysiology of ITP and possible implications are reviewed. Research Design Case report. Data Collection and Analysis Previous audiological and medical records were obtained. Vestibular testing included videonystagmography; video head impulse test (vHIT); rotational chair including sinusoidal harmonic acceleration (SHA), step velocity, SHA with fixation, and visual vestibular SHA; computerized dynamic posturography battery including sensory organization test (SOT), motor control test, and adaptation test. Results Audiological evaluation indicated a mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally. Ocular motor evaluation results indicated abnormal “cog-wheel” like tracings in smooth pursuit, hypometric saccades with abnormally increased latencies and reduced optokinetic gain. The patient also demonstrated apogeotropic nystagmus during head/body right and head/body left positions when fixation was denied. Bilateral bithermal calorics indicated a bilateral hypofunction. Horizontal vHIT results indicated reduced gain bilaterally. SHA results confirmed significant gain reductions at all frequencies tested and step velocity results indicated reduced gain and reduced time constants during all prerotary and postrotary measures. SOT results indicated a somatosensory-dependent pattern (i.e., reduced equilibrium index scores and falls in conditions 4, 5, and 6). Conclusions These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive vestibular evaluations of patients with CM, ITP, and complaints of instability. Identification and quantification of residual peripheral vestibular function as well as central system involvement can provide significant information pertinent to falls risk reduction and vestibular rehabilitation strategies, outcomes, and goals.

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110121
Author(s):  
Guido Barosco ◽  
Roberta Morbio ◽  
Francesca Chemello ◽  
Roberto Tosi ◽  
Giorgio Marchini

Purpose: This report describes a case of bilateral primary angle closure (PAC) progressing to unilateral end-stage primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) associated with treatment for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: A 64-year-old man came to our attention because of blurred vision after a 2-month hospital stay for treatment of COVID-19 infection. Examination findings revealed PACG, with severe visual impairment in the right eye and PAC in the left eye due to plateau iris syndrome. The patient’s severe clinical condition and prolonged systemic therapy masked the symptoms and delayed the diagnosis. Medical chart review disclosed the multifactorial causes of the visual impairment. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) aided in diagnosis and subsequent therapy. Results: The cause behind the primary angle closure and the iridotrabecular contact was eliminated by bilateral cataract extraction, goniosynechialysis, and myotic therapy. Conclusions: COVID-19 treatment may pose an increased risk for PAC. Accurate recording of patient and family ophthalmic history is essential to prevent its onset. Recognition of early signs of PAC is key to averting its progression to PACG.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1144
Author(s):  
Chiara Chiereghin ◽  
Erica Travaglino ◽  
Matteo Zampini ◽  
Elena Saba ◽  
Claudia Saitta ◽  
...  

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a clonal disease arising from hematopoietic stem cells, that are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis (leading to peripheral blood cytopenia) and by an increased risk of evolution into acute myeloid leukemia. MDS are driven by a complex combination of genetic mutations that results in heterogeneous clinical phenotype and outcome. Genetic studies have enabled the identification of a set of recurrently mutated genes which are central to the pathogenesis of MDS and can be organized into a limited number of cellular pathways, including RNA splicing (SF3B1, SRSF2, ZRSR2, U2AF1 genes), DNA methylation (TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1/2), transcription regulation (RUNX1), signal transduction (CBL, RAS), DNA repair (TP53), chromatin modification (ASXL1, EZH2), and cohesin complex (STAG2). Few genes are consistently mutated in >10% of patients, whereas a long tail of 40–50 genes are mutated in <5% of cases. At diagnosis, the majority of MDS patients have 2–4 driver mutations and hundreds of background mutations. Reliable genotype/phenotype relationships were described in MDS: SF3B1 mutations are associated with the presence of ring sideroblasts and more recent studies indicate that other splicing mutations (SRSF2, U2AF1) may identify distinct disease categories with specific hematological features. Moreover, gene mutations have been shown to influence the probability of survival and risk of disease progression and mutational status may add significant information to currently available prognostic tools. For instance, SF3B1 mutations are predictors of favourable prognosis, while driver mutations of other genes (such as ASXL1, SRSF2, RUNX1, TP53) are associated with a reduced probability of survival and increased risk of disease progression. In this article, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of myelodysplastic syndromes and discuss its clinical relevance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Nwankwo B ◽  
◽  
Mumueh KP ◽  
Olorukooba AA ◽  
Usman NO

Background: Computers and other visual display devices have become essential in the present era and have led to a rise in computer-related health problems. Using computers in homes, universities and other institutions has increased output greatly but has also led to an increased risk of developing Computer vision syndrome (CVS). Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with computer vision syndrome among undergraduates. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among153 respondents who were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. A Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between CVS and associated risk factors at a P-value of <0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 22.4 ± 3.4 years. The prevalence of CVS in this study was 83 (54.3%). The common symptoms experienced among the respondents were headache (51, 61.4%), eye strain (48, 57.8%) and blurred vision (42, 50.6%). The risk factors significantly associated with CVS in this study were duration of computer use, hours of computer use per day, level of a computer screen and taking breaks during computer use. Conclusion: About half of the students in this study had at least one symptom of CVS. Therefore, awareness of CVS should be created by the institution during which students would be educated on CVS and its prevention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-155
Author(s):  
Václav Albrecht ◽  
Lukáš Školoudík ◽  
Peter Sila ◽  
Jan Mejzlík ◽  
Michal Janouch ◽  
...  

Summary Introduction: Acute vertigo ranks among the common reasons for visiting the emergency department. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of peripheral vestibular syndrome (PVS) in patients with acute vertigo examined at the ENT emergency department and to compare the agreement of physical ENT examination with video-assisted vestibular testing. Methods: Patients eamined at the ENT emergency department from January to December 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients who underwent basic ENT examination without video-assisted vestibular testing form group A. The patients who underwent basic ENT examination which was followed by video head impulse test (vHIT) and videonystagmography in the next four days form group B. Results: A total of 117 patients with acute vertigo were included in group A, PVS was found in 31 patients (27%). In total, 50 patients were included in group B; PVS was found in 15 patients (30%), vestibular neuronitis was dia­gnosed most often (10 patients). The difference in the dia­gnosis of PVS by basic ENT examination (27 patients, 54%) and by video-assisted vestibular testing (15 patients, 30%) was statistically significant (P = 0.0030). The gain of the lateral (P = 0.0101) and superior (P = 0.0043) semicircular canal proved to be statistically significant, while vHIT was lower in PVS in comparison to other causes of vertigo. Conclusion: After basic ENT examination, PVS as a cause of acute vertigo was dia­gnosed in 27%. Video-assisted vestibular testing proved a statistically significant lower incidence of PVS in comparison to basic ENT examination. Accessibility of video- -assisted vestibular testing in the emergency department might allow for higher accuracy in the dia­gnosis of acute vertigo. Key words acute vertigo – vestibular function tests – video head impulse test – videonystagmography


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (05) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristal M. Riska ◽  
Owen Murnane ◽  
Faith W. Akin ◽  
Courtney Hall

Background: Vestibular function (specifically, horizontal semicircular canal function) can be assessed across a broad frequency range using several different techniques. The head impulse test is a qualitative test of horizontal semicircular canal function that can be completed at bedside. Recently, a new instrument (video head impulse test [vHIT]) has been developed to provide an objective assessment to the clinical test. Questions persist regarding how this test may be used in the overall vestibular test battery. Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe vestibular test results (vHIT, rotational testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and balance and gait performance) in an individual with a 100% unilateral caloric weakness who was asymptomatic for dizziness, vertigo or imbalance. Data Collection and/or Analysis: Comprehensive assessment was completed to evaluate vestibular function. Caloric irrigations, rotary chair testing, vHIT, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were completed. Results: A 100% left-sided unilateral caloric weakness was observed in an asymptomatic individual. vHIT produced normal gain with covert saccades. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the clinical usefulness of vHIT as a diagnostic tool and indicator of vestibular compensation and functional status.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger A. Rambold

This retrospective study examines acute unilateral vestibular failure (up to seven days after onset) with modern vestibular testing (caloric irrigation and video-head-impulse test, vHIT) in 54 patients in order to test if the short-term outcome of the patients depends on the lesion pattern defined by the two tests. Patients were grouped according to a pathological unilateral caloric weakness without a pathological vHIT: group I; additional a pathological vHIT of the lateral semicircular canal (SCC): group II; and an additional pathological vHIT of the anterior SCC: group III. Patients with involvement of the posterior SCC were less frequent and not included in the analysis. Basic parameters, such as age of the subjects, days after symptom onset, gender, side of the lesion, treatment, and dizziness handicap inventory, were not different in groups I to III. The frequency of pathological clinical findings and pathological quantified measurements increased from groups I to III. The outcome parameter “days spent in the hospital” was significantly higher in group III compared to group I. The analysis shows that differential vestibular testing predicts short-term outcome of the patients and might be in future important to treat and coach patients with vestibular failure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Eza-Nuñez ◽  
C Fariñas-Alvarez ◽  
N Perez Fernandez

AbstractObjectives:This study aimed to evaluate the results of the video head impulse test and of the caloric and rotatory chair tests in patients with dizziness. Agreement between test results was assessed and the best protocol for detecting peripheral vestibulopathy was identified.Methods:Participants comprised 116 patients, 75 with a peripheral vestibulopathy and 41 with non-peripheral vestibulopathy. The main outcome measures were classified as normal or abnormal according to our laboratory data.Results:Agreement between tests was low. Vestibulopathy testing that required all three results to be abnormal had a sensitivity of 0.547, a specificity of 0.878, and positive and negative predictive values of 0.891 and 0.514, respectively. Vestibulopathy testing that required just one result to be abnormal had a sensitivity of 0.933, a specificity of 0.292, and positive and negative predictive values of 0.701 and 0.705, respectively.Conclusion:In peripheral vestibulopathy, there was weak concordance in the assessment of horizontal semicircular canal function among the different tests. However, the video head impulse test had sufficient statistical power to be recommended as the first-line test.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gi-Sung Nam ◽  
Hyun-June Shin ◽  
Jin-Ju Kang ◽  
Na-Ri Lee ◽  
Sun-Young Oh

Objective: In the present study, we characterized the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and properties of corrective saccades (CS) in patients with posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) stroke and determined the best parameter to differentiate PICA stroke from benign peripheral vestibular neuritis (VN). In particular, we studied CS amplitude and asymmetry in video head impulse tests (vHITs) to discriminate these two less-studied disease conditions.Methods: The vHITs were performed within 1 week from symptom onset in patients with PICA stroke (n = 17), patients with VN (n = 17), and healthy subjects (HS, n = 17).Results: PICA stroke patients had bilaterally reduced VOR gains in the horizontal semicircular canal (HC) and the posterior semicircular canal (PC) compared with HSs. When compared with VN patients, PICA stroke patients showed preserved gains in the HC and anterior semicircular canal (AC) bilaterally (i.e., symmetric VOR gain). Similar to VOR gain, smaller but bilaterally symmetric CS in the HC and AC were observed in PICA stroke patients compared with VN patients; the mean amplitude of CS for the ipsilesional HC was reduced (p &lt; 0.001, Mann–Whitney U-test), but the mean amplitude of CS for the contralesional HC was increased (p &lt; 0.03, Mann–Whitney U-test) in PICA stroke compared with VN. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that CS amplitude asymmetry (CSs) and VOR gain asymmetry (Gs) of HC are excellent parameters to distinguish PICA stroke from VN.Conclusion: In the current study, we quantitatively investigated the VOR gain and CS using vHITs for three semicircular canals in PICA stroke and VN patients. In addition to VOR gain, quantitative assessments of CS using vHITs can provide sensitive and objective parameters to distinguish between peripheral and central vestibulopathies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz A. Alkathiry ◽  
Anthony P. Kontos ◽  
Joseph M. Furman ◽  
Susan L. Whitney ◽  
Eric R. Anson ◽  
...  

Background: Oculomotor impairments, dizziness, and imbalance are common after sports-related concussion (SRC) in adolescents and suggest a relationship between SRC and vestibular system dysfunction. However, it is not clear whether the source of these problems is attributable to the peripheral or central vestibular system. Hypothesis: The video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), which assesses peripheral vestibular function, will show differences in gain between adolescents with and without SRC. Furthermore, there will be an association between vHIT and clinical balance and vestibular/oculomotor testing. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: Twenty-five symptomatic adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years with a recent (within 10 days) SRC and 22 healthy controls aged 13 to 20 years were assessed using the vHIT, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tools. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain was calculated independently for right and left head impulses. Independent-samples t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for nonnormal distributions were used to compare concussed patients and controls on the measures. Spearman rank-order correlations were used to assess the association of vHIT with BESS and VOMS. Results: VOR gain in all adolescents with SRC was greater than 0.8, which is considered within normal limits. VOR gain and BESS scores were not significantly different between groups. Adolescents with SRC had significantly worse VOMS item scores than adolescents without SRC ( P < 0.001). There were no significant correlations among vHIT gain and VOMS or BESS. Conclusion: There was no evidence for dysfunction in the peripheral horizontal semicircular canal function at high rotation speeds (ie, vHIT) after SRC, and vHIT was unrelated to balance and vestibular/oculomotor symptoms and dysfunction. However, adolescents with SRC scored worse on vestibular and oculomotor testing than those without SRC. Vestibular dysfunction and symptoms after SRC may be centrally derived. Clinical Relevance: We do not recommend the assessment of head impulse function in adolescents with SRC unless more definitive signs of peripheral vestibular injury are present. We recommend using the VOMS to assess symptoms of suspected SRC injury in adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20531-e20531
Author(s):  
Laurie Eliason ◽  
Joanna Opalinska ◽  
Mona L. Martin ◽  
Julia Correll ◽  
Benjamin Gutierrez ◽  
...  

e20531 Background: Patient-reported outcomes in RRMM remain poor, particularly for those refractory to immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 antibodies, and there is an increased risk of cumulative toxicities in these patients. Single-agent belantamab mafodotin (GSK2857916), a first-in-class, B-cell maturation antigen–binding immunoconjugate, has demonstrated deep and durable responses with a manageable safety profile in heavily pretreated patients with RRMM (DREAMM-1, NCT02064387). Here, we present patient-reported clinical benefit/tolerability of belantamab mafodotin evaluated by trial-embedded end-of-treatment (EOT) and follow-up interviews. Methods: DREAMM-1 study design and results have been reported ( Blood Cancer J 2019). Patients in the Part 2 expansion phase were administered single-agent belantamab mafodotin 3.4 mg/kg IV once every 3 weeks for 16 cycles and invited to participate in interviews at EOT and 6-month follow-up. Patients discussed symptoms, treatment-related adverse events (AEs), treatment burden, and overall treatment satisfaction, rated 0–10 (0 = not severe to 10 = most severe/0 = not at all satisfied to 10 = extremely satisfied). Results: A total of 17/35 patients (9 female [53%]) were interviewed; 4/17 patients completed both interviews. Most patients (94%; 16/17) achieved a partial response or better. At EOT, patients reported an improvement from the worst point in symptoms of bone pain (mean change in score from 6.4 to 4.0) and fatigue (8.0 to 5.5). The most commonly reported treatment-related AE was blurred vision (76%; 13/17). Among those reporting this AE, 62% (8/13) reported resolution or steady improvement in vision after EOT; with a reduction in severity rating from 7.3 at worst to 5.3 at EOT for this event. Most patients (93%; 13/14) never considered stopping treatment owing to AEs, including ocular events. Overall treatment satisfaction was high (mean score 7.9; median 9.0). Conclusions: Despite small sample sizes, trial-embedded interviews provide valuable insight into patient experience with belantamab mafodotin. Patients treated with single-agent belantamab mafodotin reported high treatment satisfaction and improvements in symptoms. Visual symptoms were frequent but manageable, and improved or resolved after treatment. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline (117159). Drug linker technology licensed from Seattle Genetics; monoclonal antibody produced using POTELLIGENT Technology licensed from BioWa. Clinical trial information: NCT02064387.


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