25 February 2011
Assessment of vestibulocochlear organ function in patients meeting radiologic criteria of vascular compression syndrome of vestibulocochlear nerve – diagnosis of disabling positional vertigo
Jarosław MarkowskiABCDEFG, Tatiana GierekAD, Ewa KluczewskaBDF, Małgorzata WitkowskaBEFDOI: 10.12659/MSM.881452
Med Sci Monit 2011; 17(3): CR169-173
Abstract
Background: This study sought to assess the vestibulo-cochlear organ in patients meeting radiologic criteria of vascular compression syndrome (VCS) of the eighth cranial nerve.
Material/Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 34 patients (18 women, 16 men; mean age, 49 years) treated in between 2000 and 2007, with VCS of the eighth cranial nerve by MRI. Contrasted magnetic resonance imaging identified an anterior inferior cerebellar artery vascular loop adhering to the vestibule-cochlear nerve in all 34 cases. All patients were given pure tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem response, and electroneurographic examinations.
Results: Most-common symptoms were unilateral hearing loss (82%), unilateral tinnitus (80%), and dizziness (74%). Most-frequent abnormalities in performed examinations were specific auditory brainstem response changes (interpreted according to Möller’s criteria) in 86% of cases and sensorineural hearing loss in pure tone audiometry (82%). Abnormal changes in electronystagmography were found in the absence (12%) or weakness (35%) of a caloric response. No patients were surgically treated.
Conclusions: Significantly, there is no more weakness or absence of the caloric response of a vestibular organ in a patient with vascular compression of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve. Despite an absence of electrophysiologic testing of vestibular organ dysfunction, most examined patients (meeting the radiologic criteria of VCS of the eighth cranial nerve) had subjective symptoms like vertigo and dizziness. Disabling positional vertigo should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vertigo when accompanied by tinnitus or deafness.
Keywords: Nerve Compression Syndromes - radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Gadolinium - diagnostic use, Ear - radiography, Vertigo - radiography, Vestibulocochlear Nerve - radiography
1139 15
Editorial
01 November 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Factors Driving New Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Immune Escape, and Resistance to Antiviral Treatments as the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic is DeclaredDOI: 10.12659/MSM.942960
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e942960
In Press
30 Nov 2023 : Review article
Decoding the Neurological Sequelae of General Anesthesia: A ReviewMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942740
30 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Pain Relief and Muscle Growth in Individuals with Low Back Instability: The Impact of Blood Flow R...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942508
29 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research
Comparative Analysis of Intramedullary Nail versus Plate Fixation for Fibula Fracture in Supination Externa...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941909
29 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research
Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Burnout among Medical College Students in China: Findings from a Web-Based S...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942317
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292