1/15. Lumbomuscular proprioceptive reflexes in body equilibrium.To evaluate the role of reflexes related to the lumbar proprioceptors in maintenance of body equilibrium, changes in equilibrium function of the eyes and body were observed after unilateral procainization of the lumbar erector muscles. Observations were made on normal subjects and vertigo cases with lumbar pain after whiplash injury using various equilibrium tests. The results obtained were as follows: (1) On unilateral procainization of the lumbar erector muscles of normal subjects, eye nystagmus and disturbances of the righting reflex developed. Simultaneously, changes in drift reactions of the lower limbs were detected by the stepping test. Namely, in many of the subjects examined the direction of stepping deviation became quite different from that before procainization, and stepping after procainization tended to show slight or moderate ataxic features, associated with a sensation of unsteadiness. (2) When procaine was injected unilaterally into tender spots in the lumbar erector muscles of traumatic vertigo cases, spontaneous eye nystagmus and disturbances of the righting reflex decreased. Simultaneously, significant changes in the drift reactions of the lower limbs were observed in many of the cases examined. Namely, the direction of deviation became the opposite of that before procainization and ataxia in walking almost disappeared with reduction in vertigo. The following conclusions were drawn from these findings: (1) The effects of procaine on equilibrium of normal subjects are in sharp contrast to its effects on equilibrium of traumatic vertigo cases. Findings in the former might be due to increased imbalance between the activities of the right and left lumbar proprioceptors, while those in the latter might be due to decreased imbalance between the two. (2) These findings support the view that from the standpoint of body equilibrium, there are two phases of the proprioceptive reflex, and that Fukuda's concept of "two phases of the labyrinthine reflex, i.e., a stage of disturbance and a stage of coordination", can be applied to interpretation of the proprioceptive reflex of lumbar origin.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/15. An intramural macrocyst of an acoustic neurinoma rupturing after gamma knife radiosurgery: a case report.We want to describe the rare case when an intramural macrocyst within an acoustic neurinoma (ACN) treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) ruptured, followed by an impressive decrease of tumor volume and improvement of neurological symptoms. In a 59-year-old female patient, a large ACN with a hugh intramural macrocyst was diagnosed. As she refused open surgery, we performed GKRS covering the tumor margin and the cyst with 11 Gy. Seven months after treatment symptoms worsened slightly. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no significant change of tumor volume. One year after GKRS she felt a sensation behind her treated ear, followed by an immediate improvement of all her symptoms. Trigeminal hypaesthesia and vertigo disappeared, tinnitus ameliorated. A control MRI showed the cystic compartment no longer, the solid part shrunk within the following six years. Within the whole follow-up period hearing was stable. To our knowledge this is the first report of a macrocyst within an ACN to rupture after GKRS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/15. Acoustic neuroma presenting as exercise-induced vertigo.We present two subjects with previously undiagnosed acoustic neuromas who complained of vertigo whenever they ran. One had normal hearing while the other already had a unilateral sensorineural deafness. hyperventilation for 30 seconds provoked an ipsilateral beating nystagmus and reproduced the vertiginous sensation in both subjects. hyperventilation is a simple bedside test that should be performed when assessing a subject with vertigo or when there is a clinical suspicion of an acoustic neuroma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/15. Drop attacks and vertigo secondary to a non-meniere otologic cause.BACKGROUND: Tumarkin falls are sudden drop-attack falls that occur in a subset of patients with Meniere syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops), an inner ear disorder characterized by vertigo spells and hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features and quantitative audiovestibular testing results in a case series of patients with Tumarkin falls, episodic vertigo, and normal hearing. SETTING: University referral center for disorders of balance and hearing. methods: Case series (unselected) of all patients with Tumarkin falls and a normal audiogram at least 1 year after onset of vestibular symptoms (n = 6) from a retrospective analysis of the records of all patients with Tumarkin falls presenting to neurotology Clinic at UCLA Medical Center, los angeles, Calif, from October 1, 1975, to February 1, 2001 (N = 55). Quantitative audiologic and vestibular function testing, neurologic history, and examination were performed. RESULTS: Five of 6 patients had unilateral caloric paresis, and 1 had bilateral vestibulopathy. Five of 6 had a personal and/or family history of migraine headaches meeting International headache Society criteria. All patients had a subjective sensation of feeling pushed by an external force, and half of the patients had a subjective tilt of the environment concurrent with the fall. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of migraine is high in this subgroup of patients with Tumarkin falls and normal hearing. The clinical description of the falls is similar to those associated with Meniere syndrome. Further studies are needed to understand the etiology of Tumarkin falls in these patients with normal hearing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/15. vertigo in virtual reality with haptics: case report.A researcher was working with a desktop virtual environment system. The system was displaying vector fields of a cyclonic weather system, and the system incorporated a haptic display of the forces in the cyclonic field. As the subject viewed the rotating cyclone field, they would move a handle "through" the representation of the moving winds and "feel" the forces buffeting the handle as it moved. Stopping after using the system for about 10 min, the user experienced an immediate sensation of postural instability for several minutes. Several hours later, there was the onset of vertigo with head turns. This vertigo lasted several hours and was accompanied with nausea and motion illusions that exacerbated by head movements. Symptoms persisted mildly the next day and were still present the third and fourth day, but by then were only provoked by head movements. There were no accompanying symptoms or history to suggest an inner ear disorder. physical examination of inner ear and associated neurologic function was normal. No other users of this system have reported similar symptoms. This case suggests that some individuals may be susceptible to the interaction of displays with motion and movement forces and as a result experience motion illusions. Operators of such systems should be aware of this potential and minimize exposure if vertigo occurs.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/15. Retropulsion and vertigo in the Chiari malformation: case report.We describe a rare case of a 30 year-old woman with intense vertiginous sensation, lack of body balance and a tendency to fall backwards, making it necessary for two people to sustain her. The magnetic resonance imaging of the craniocervical junction evidenced tonsilar herniation at the inferior level of C1, and during the operation performed in sitting position, we observed crowding of the cerebellar tonsils at the level of C3. After the osteo-dural-neural decompression, the symptomatology remitted on the same day of the operation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/15. Facial numbness in a man with inguinal and retroperitoneal masses.BACKGROUND: A 37-year-old Brazilian man was admitted to massachusetts General Hospital for evaluation of left-sided facial numbness, left-sided ataxia, dizziness, and vertigo. Seven weeks prior to admission, he reported numbness of the left oral cavity and tongue after a dental procedure. Three weeks prior to presentation, he developed left-sided incoordination with dizziness and vertigo. One week later, he noticed difficulty using a box cutter at work and presented to the emergency department for evaluation. A CT scan without contrast revealed no abnormalities and he was discharged home. Three days prior to admission, the patient developed diplopia. Cranial MRI revealed a 1.6 cm irregular enhancing mass in the left middle cerebellar peduncle. neurologic examination was significant for diminished sensation over the left face to pinprick, left-sided dysmetria, and mild lateral instability of the trunk while walking. INVESTIGATIONS: MRI, lumbar puncture, CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, needle biopsy of the lymph node, and paraneoplastic antibodies. diagnosis: Possible paraneoplastic demyelination. MANAGEMENT: orchiectomy, adjuvant radiation, and corticosteroids.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/15. Inner ear decompression sickness and mal de debarquement.OBJECTIVE: To present a case series of vestibular symptoms appearing after combined sailing and diving activity, and to discuss the differential diagnosis and the workup algorithm. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. patients: Three patients aged 25 to 31 years suffering from unsteadiness and movement sensations after sailing and scuba diving. INTERVENTIONS: Neurotologic evaluation and recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The increasing popularity of marine sports and leisure activities has resulted in the exposure of a growing number of people to unique abnormalities not encountered under terrestrial conditions. The otolaryngologist who is involved in the care of these patients is required to diagnose and treat diving-related sinus and ear injuries such as barotrauma and decompression sickness, and also to be familiar with sailing-related disorientation syndromes such as seasickness and mal de debarquement. Treatment modalities for the various abnormalities differ significantly, and early commencement of treatment is often crucial for a successful outcome. CONCLUSION: Whenever doubt exists, recompression treatment must be instituted as soon as possible because of the potential for severe sequelae if the patient is left untreated, and because the risks involved in this therapy are minimal.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/15. vertigo and object relationship.vertigo appeared to me in analysis to be an expression of separation anxiety; we can observe the vicissitudes of the object relationship by way of the development of this symptom in the treatment. I identify different forms of vertigo according to the particular stage reached by the patient, from fusion-related vertigo via vertigo about being dropped, vertigo associated with aspiration, vertigo connected with the alternation of prison and escape and vertigo related to the attraction of the void, to competition-related vertigo which appears in an oedipal context. They correspond to different moments in the constitution of relational space: first, the two-dimensional world in which even the void is inconceivable; then, the sensation of the void manifesting a disavowal of the absence of relationship; next, the constitution of a three-dimensional space in which the patient initially feels carried by the object but then discovers that he can carry himself; and, finally, the constitution of the internal space which allows internalization of the feeling of 'buoyancy'.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/15. Optokinetic suppression of aberrant vestibular reactions: an observation.It has long been known that optokinetic nystagmus may be modified by vestibular inputs. We have suppressed an aberrant vestibular response and associated gastrointestinal sensations by use of an optokinetic stimulus simultaneous to the positional stimulus in a patient with paroxysmal positional vertigo. This single subject study utilized several optokinetic conditions, and patterned its stimulus presentations to control for visual fixation and vestibular habituation. Objective recordings of eye movements (ENG) were made simultaneously with subjective evaluation of "dizziness" on a simple magnitude estimation scale.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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