前庭诱发肌源性电位临床检测技术专家共识

前庭诱发肌源性电位是一种评价前庭耳石器及前庭神经传导通路的客观检查方法。虽然当前临床应用较多,但有关记录方式、结果判定等方面还存在需要达成共识的关键环节。因此为促进我国相对规范的实验室检查标准、形成同质化的VEMP记录和结果分析,更为了获得在世界范围内可互相交流的准确数据,特制订气导声刺激的cVEMP检查技术和结果判读的专家共识。本共识的内容主要包括cVEMP基本概念、刺激参数、记录参数、指标分析和结果判读等关键环节。     

《前庭诱发肌源性电位的实践：方法、常见错误和临床应用》摘译与解读

前庭诱发肌源性电位（VEMP）是一项评估耳石器及前庭神经传导通路的检查技术。通过气导声或振动刺激耳石器，在颈部和眼部肌肉部位记录的电反应活动，分别称为颈肌前庭诱发肌源性电位（cervical VEMP，cVEMP）和眼肌前庭诱发肌源性电位（ocular VEMP，oVEMP）。由于测试条件不同，可导致测试质量和结果出现较大差异，因此规范检查技术的质量是应用于临床检测的重要前提要素。本文在Papathanasiou等cVEMP临床指南（2014年）基础上，系统的介绍了VEMP的操作和临床应用测试方案。特别是对刺激和记录等参数设置，DOI: 10.16066/j.1672-7002.2020.08.006 全民健康助力全面小康·前庭诱发肌源性电位检查技术专题：继续教育园地提供相应的理论依据；列举出操作中一些常见的错误及解决方案；最后概述VEMP的临床应用。与此同时，中国康复医学会眩晕康复专业委员会联合中国医药教育协会眩晕专业委员会于2019年在《中华耳科学杂志》也发布《前庭诱发肌源性电位临床检测技术专家共识》，希望将VEMP技术进一步规范，促进该技术在国内临床和科研机构的规范应用。     

前庭诱发肌源性电位检查的点评

借由气导声刺激或骨导振动刺激可成功诱发前庭诱发肌源性电位(vestibular-evoked myogenic potential, VEMP)。从颈部胸锁乳突肌表面记录得到的VEMP称为颈肌前庭诱发肌源性电位(cVEMP),从眼外肌表面记录得到的VEMP称为眼肌前庭诱发肌源性电位(oVEMP)。这两项新兴的耳神经科学功能检查开启了科学家探索耳石器官(球囊与椭圆囊)的纪元,分别用来检测“球囊-颈肌反射”和“椭圆囊-眼肌反射”神经通路。内耳功能检查序列,包括听力检查、cVEMP检查、oVEMP检查、温度试验检查等,可以对内耳终末器官诸如耳蜗、球囊、椭圆囊及半规管的功能进行全面检测,目前已经广泛应用于动物及人体。这一系列内耳功能检测项目将有助于描绘内耳终末器官受侵犯的范围、厘清过去医学上的盲点,进一步阐明内耳及中枢前庭系病变的机制。     

眼源性前庭诱发肌源性电位

眼性前庭诱发肌源性电位(ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential,oVEMP)是起源于椭圆囊的能够客观反映前庭-眼反射通路完整性一种无创电生理检查,是一项新的前庭功能检查技术,与眼震电图和颈性前庭诱发肌源性电位用于眩晕相关疾病诊断及鉴别诊断,全面评价前庭系统的功能状态。     

前庭诱发肌源性电位对前庭下神经炎的诊断价值

目的　探讨前庭诱发肌源性电位（VEMP）对前庭下神经炎的诊断价值。方法　回顾分析我科眩晕门诊18例前庭下神经炎的临床资料,尤其是VEMP检测结果。结果　18例患者中,15例表现为旋转性眩晕,3例为平衡障碍,所有患者纯音测听、冷热试验及眼性前庭诱发肌源性电位（oVEMP）正常而颈性前庭诱发肌源性电位（cVEMP）异常。其中14例cVEMP检查不能引出,4例振幅低下。3个月后复诊10例患者症状消失,复查cVEMP 9例恢复正常,1例振幅低下;半年复诊18例患者症状全部消失,复查cVEMP只有2例振幅低下,其余均恢复正常。结论　VEMP检查对前庭下神经炎的精准诊断及判断预后有重要临床价值,值得临床推广。     

前庭诱发的肌源性电位原理与应用

前庭诱发电位的引出较脑干、视觉和体感诱发电位困难.争论主要集中在:(1)在旋转刺激中,眼震反应是加速与减速的均值;(2)记录到的反应是双侧反应,无法识别受累侧别;(3)反应是否来源于前庭还有争议;(4)方法复杂、引起受试者明显不适.所有这些都表明前庭诱发电位尚不能应用于临床,而实际上目前也只是处于动物实验的水平.尽管神经源性的前庭诱发电位还有争议,但晚近出现的声诱发肌源性电位强烈提示来源于前庭.这种电位被命名为短声诱发的前庭丘脑反应或前庭诱发的肌源性电位(vestibular evoked myogenic potentials,VEMPs)用以与神经源性的前庭诱发电位相区别.     

前庭诱发肌源性电位的研究进展和临床应用

前庭诱发肌源性电位（vestibular evoked myogenic potentials，VEMPs）是用高强度的声刺激在紧张的胸锁乳突肌上记录到的肌电位，近年来被认为是一个能客观、全面评价前庭功能的指标。如今越来越多的耳科医生开始关注这一能反映前庭-丘脑通路完整性的无创电生理检查。本文从VEMPs的起源、检测方法、波型意义及临床应用等方面进行介绍。     

前庭诱发肌源性电位临床研究现状与展望

 前庭诱发肌源性电位与前庭功能的关系逐步被发现并应用于临床检查,并在一部分前庭功能障碍疾病,如梅尼埃病、良性阵发性位置性眩晕、前庭神经炎等病中发挥了协助诊断及评估病情的作用。本文主要概述前庭诱发肌源性电位的历史、原理、方法及其临床应用。     

眼性前庭诱发肌源电位影响因素的研究进展

眼性前庭诱发肌源电位是气导声刺激或骨导振动刺激人体前庭感受器(椭圆囊)或直流电刺激前庭上神经,于对侧眼下斜肌表面记录到的短潜伏期电位变化,是临床评价椭圆囊和/或前庭上神经通路功能的常用手段。国内外研究发现,oVEMP除存在个体间差异外,也会受测试方法、参数设置等因素影响。本文在前人研究结论基础上,对oVEMP常见影响因素及其可能机制进行总结,为规范oVEMP的测试方法提供依据。     

前庭功能检查的意义与临床应用

前庭功能检查在过去一般是指眼动功能检查、前庭一眼反射功能检查和前庭-脊髓反射检查，称为经典的前庭功能检查，包括眼震图检查和静态平衡功能检查，近来一些新的检查手段也逐渐应用于临床，如前庭诱发的肌源性电位、主观垂直（水平）视觉检查、动态视敏度检查和前庭高频刺激检查等是近年来主要的进展。     

A Decrease in Maxillary Sinus Pressure,as Seen in Upper Airway Allergy or Infection,Results in an Increase in Upper Airway Nitric Oxide Levels

The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity via small osties. Ostial occlusion, caused by mucosal swelling, will result in a slowly increasing negative pressure inside the sinus cavity. In parallel, the oxygen content in the sinus will decrease, resulting in the development of relative hypoxia. Hypoxia is a powerful inducer of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and inducible NO synthase has been shown to be present in considerable amounts in the upper airways, including the sinuses. The present study was designed to investigate whether a reduction in sinus pressure would affect upper airway NO production. Thirteen healthy volunteers were investigated. A pressure chamber was used to lower the ambient pressure to-4.9 kPa. NO was sampled from one nostril or via a drainage tube inserted into the maxillary sinus before, during and after the hypobaric exposure. When the pressure was decreased, NO levels increased from 256 &#45 15 to 316 &#45 19 ppb ( n =13, p <0.001). The NO levels remained elevated (282 &#45 21 ppb; p <0.05) when measurements were repeated 20 min after leaving the chamber. The nasal airway resistance (V2 tot ) also increased as a result of the chamber session (from 16 &#45 2° before to 21 &#45 3° after; p <0.05). An increase in NO levels was also found when the experiments were repeated with NO sampled directly from the maxillary sinus (225 &#45 6 before and 265 &#45 9 ppb after; n =6, p <0.001). For control purposes the nasal analyses were repeated again, this time under hyperbaric conditions (+4.9 kPa). This resulted in a slight decrease in the NO levels (from 273 &#45 22 to 241 &#45 17 ppb; n =10, p <0.001), but there was no change in the nasal airway resistance. We conclude that a reduction in sinus pressure, as seen in upper airway allergy or infection, may result in an increase in upper airway NO production.     

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing?

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing? Regular monitoring and audit of a service are integral to ensuring maintenance of efficiency and standards. This is particularly important where the quality of the service is operator dependent, as is the case in the clinical diagnosis of neck lumps and fine needle aspiration cytology. The one‐stop neck lump clinic has now been running in the department for more than 20 months. A previous article described the results of the first phase audit carried out at 6 months and had identified a waiting time to be seen that was longer than that recommended by the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons. Measures were implemented to reduce this waiting time and a second audit was carried out after another 10 months with the aims of assessing if modification of the means of referral reduces waiting time and if the outcomes of clinical performance in phase 1 could be maintained or improved. We discuss the results of phase 2 in the audit spiral.     

A case of cortical deafness and anarthria

The nasal epithelium protects the underlying tissue from damage. Epithelial cell growth is controlled by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and is possibly affected by toxic proteins, e.g. eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). The aims of this study were to examine nasal fluid epithelial cell counts and their relations to EGF, eosinophils and ECP in 23 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal fluid epithelial cell counts were lower in patients than in controls. EGF levels did not differ between patients and controls, and correlated with epithelial cell counts in controls but not in patients. Eosinophils and ECP were higher in patients than in controls, but did not correlate with epithelial cell counts. The role of growth factors, such as EGF, in regulating epithelial cells merits further study.     

A simple objective evaluation and grading for facial paralysis outcomes

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 degrade type IV collagen, which is one of the major components of the basement membrane in normal tissue and expressed in the surroundings of the cancer nest in squamous cell carinoma. The degeneration of type IV collagen is an essential step in the metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. In this study, we examined MMP-2 and -9 levels of cancer tissue and serum obtained from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in order to evaluate the relationship between the clinicopathologic features and MMPs. We examined the production of MMP-2 and -9 in cancer tissue homogenates of 73 patients who had HNSCC and the serum MMP levels of 16 patients with HNSCC and 8 healthy volunteers. We also studied the localization of MMP-2 in the carcinoma using an immunohistochemical approach. The concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 in the tissue homogenates and serum were measured by means of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed with monoclonal antibody to MMP-2. The concentration of MMP-2 in the tumor tissue homogenates was unrelated to tumor size, but that in patients with lymph node metastases was significantly higher than in those without lymph node metastases. The concentration of MMP-9 was unrelated to lymph node metastasis and tumor size. The levels of both MMP-2 and -9 in serum were unrelated to lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemistry indicated that MMP-2 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. Because MMP-2 degrades type IV collagen, the level of MMP-2 in carcinomas may be a useful indicator of the degree of invasion and metastasis.     

Bilateral versus unilateral cochlear implantation in young children

Objectives

To compare the preverbal communication skills of two groups of young implanted children: those with unilateral implantation and those with bilateral implantation.

Material and methods

The study assessed 69 children: 42 unilaterally and 27 bilaterally implanted with age at implantation less than 3 years. The preverbal skills of these children were measured before and 1 year after implantation, using Tait Video Analysis that has been found able to predict later speech outcomes in young implanted children.

Results

Before implantation there was no significant difference between the unilateral group and the bilateral group. There was still no difference at 12 months following implantation where vocal autonomy is concerned, but a strongly significant difference between the groups for vocal turn-taking and non-looking vocal turns, the bilateral group outperforming the unilateral group. Regarding gestural turn-taking and gestural autonomy, there was a strongly significant difference between the two groups at the 12 month interval, and also a difference before implantation for gestural autonomy, the unilateral group having the higher scores. Multiple regression of non-looking vocal turns revealed that 1 year following implantation, bilateral implantation contributed to 51% of the variance (p < 0.0001), after controlling for the influence of age at implantation and length of deafness which did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Profoundly deaf bilaterally implanted children are significantly more likely to use vocalisation to communicate, and to use audition when interacting vocally with an adult, compared with unilaterally implanted children. These results are independent of age at implantation and length of deafness.     

Autoimmunity in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Possible Role of Anti-endothelial Cell Autoantibodies

In order to verify whether anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECAs) can be used as serological markers of inner ear vasculitis in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), 32 patients affected by idiopathic SSHL were investigated. All patients underwent a routine general physical examination and extensive audiovestibular, microbiological and immunological investigations. Fourteen normal subjects without a history of HL, autoimmune or metabolic disease served as controls. Detection of AECAs was performed using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. AECA-positive patients were treated with methylprednisone, while AECA-negative patients were treated with a combined regimen of steroids, plasma expander and aspirin. The average hearing recovery for 5 frequencies (0.25-4 kHz) was analyzed in each subject 1 month after treatment and every 3 months thereafter; median follow-up was 12 months (range 9-18 months). A total of 15/32 patients (46.8%; 11/19 females, 4/13 males) were AECA-positive and thus differed significantly from the normal population in whom only 2/14 tested cases were positive ( p =0.03). Severe hearing loss was associated with being AECA-positive in 8/11 cases. During follow-up, 25/32 patients improved their hearing and 17 of these patients were AECA-negative. The seven cases without hearing improvement were all AECA-positive. In patients with SSHL, immune-mediated vascular damage may have a pathogenetic role and AECAs may represent a serological marker of vasculitis even if they are not inner ear-specific and even if they represent an epi-phenomenon rather than the only cause of SSHL.     

Correction of the Glosso-Larynx and Resultant Positional Changes of the Hyoid Bone and Cranium

In ankyloglossia with deviation of the epiglottis and larynx (ADEL) the tongue is located forward and as a result the epiglottis is elevated and leans towards the mouth. The larynx is also raised and curves ventrally. Various symptoms have been observed as a result of this condition. Correction of the glosso-larynx (CGL) is the operation performed to treat ADEL. The CGL procedure and the results obtained with it are reported in this paper. In addition, we studied the following six parameters using head and neck X-rays before and after CGL (the changes in these parameters as a result of CGL are shown in parentheses): ( i ) the shortest vertical length between the hyoid bone and mandible (+10.3 mm); ( ii ) the vertical length between the hyoid bone and the tangent line of C2-4 (+4.6 mm); ( iii ) the shortest length between the hyoid bone and the chin (+2.9 mm); ( iv ) the angle between the hyoid bone and the tangent line of C2-4 (+3.3°); ( v ) the length of H-M, where H is the intersection of a tangent line of C2-4 and a vertical line from the hyoid bone and M is the intersection of a tangent line of C2-4 and the mandible (+7.4 mm); and ( vi ) the width of the narrowest part of the hypopharynx (+3.0 mm). The changes in all the measured parameters after CGL were significantly different ( p <0.05).     

Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx: Analysis of Treatment Results in 91 Patients

The outcome of 91 patients (69 males, 22 females; age range 16-82 years) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated in our hospital between 1971 and 1999 was evaluated. Factors that appeared to influence prognosis were assessed using the Kaplan -Meier method. The cause-specific cumulative 5-year survival rate for the entire study population was 61.2%. The 1997 International Union Against Cancer classification was used for disease staging. The 5-year survival rates were as follows: 66.7% ( n ¾ 3) for Stage I; 100% ( n ¾ 2) for Stage IIA; 90.9% ( n ¾ 11) for Stage IIB; 78.8% ( n ¾ 25) for Stage III; 53.0% ( n ¾ 29) for Stage IVA; 37.5% ( n ¾ 16) for Stage IVB; and 20.0% ( n ¾ 5) for Stage IVC. The disease-free cumulative 3-year survival rates of the patients classified based on initial therapy were as follows: radiation alone, 50.0% ( n ¾ 28); combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy that included an undefined anti-cancer drug, 67.2% ( n ¾ 39); combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy that included carboplatin (CBDCA), 92.3% ( n ¾ 19). These results showed a statistically significant difference ( p ¾ 0.043; log-rank test). Stage IVC patients were excluded from the analysis. We conclude that combined therapy, including chemotherapy with CBDCA, is necessary for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In terms of radiation therapy, a field covering the bilateral cervical regions seemed to produce favorable results, even if cervical node metastasis was not confirmed by palpation at the first hospital visit.     

Treatment Effects in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

A total of 221 patients (155 males, 66 females; stage I, n ¾ 55; stage II, n ¾ 58; stage III, n ¾ 57; stage IV, n ¾ 51) with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were studied. Tumor localization was as follows: cancer of the tongue, n ¾ 161; cancer of the oral floor, n =28; cancer of the hard palate, n ¾ 12; cancer of the buccal mucosa, n ¾ 11; and cancer of the gingiva, n ¾ 9. In order to compare the effect of different treatments, three major treatment groups were defined, namely a surgery group, a radiotherapy group and a combination treatment group. Five-year cumulative survival rates showed significant differences between stage classifications (stage I=91%, stage II=73%, stage III=63%, stage IV=47%; p <0.01) but not between tumor sites. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was highest for oral floor cancer (80%). In the early-cancer group, the 5-year cumulative survival rate for the surgery group (92%) was significantly higher ( p <0.05) than those for both the radiation (69%) and combination (71%) groups. In the advanced-cancer group, the 5-year cumulative survival rate for the surgery group (74%) was significantly higher ( p <0.05) than those for both the radiation (37%) and combination (51%) groups. No significant difference in regional control rates was observed between the treatment groups. Five-year regional control rates were 86% for cervical untreated patients with T1N0 tumors and 60% for cervical untreated patients with T2N0 tumors. Fourteen N0 cases were treated with neck dissection. Cervical metastasis was found pathologically in 2/14 (14%) of these cases. The 5-year survival rate for patients with cervical recurrences after primary tumor resection was 70% ( n ¾ 15). In contrast, the 5-year survival rate for patients with both primary tumor resection and neck dissection was 74% ( n ¾ 14) but no significant difference was observed between these 2 groups.rate .     

Otolaryngologists may not be doing enough to diagnose pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis

Objective

To systematically evaluate the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE).

Methods

A retrospective review of 657 patients seen at the EE center of a tertiary care children's hospital between 1994 and 2007 was performed. Charts were reviewed for the 144 patients who were also seen by the otolaryngology service.

Results

One hundred forty-four patients received 193 otolaryngology-related diagnoses. Eustachian tube dysfunction (27.5%) and sleep disordered breathing (24.9%) were the most common, followed by dysphagia (13.0%), rhinosinusitis/nasal congestion (9.3%) and airway stenosis (5.2%). Seventy-nine patients (54.9%) had a pre-existing diagnosis of EE at the time of their otolaryngology consultation. Twenty-one patients (14.6%) were referred to the gastroenterology service for evaluation for EE. Forty-four patients (30.5%) remained undiagnosed. Twenty-five of these patients presented with dysphagia, 16 of whom were not previously diagnosed with EE; only 4 of these 16 patients were referred for evaluation for EE. In one case, a child with moderate sized tonsils underwent adenotonsillectomy for dysphagia and failure to thrive; this patient was diagnosed with EE 1 month post-operatively.

Conclusions

Twenty percent of patients with EE may require care by an otolaryngologist for a myriad of complaints. Even experienced pediatric otolaryngologists may not recognize this condition. Otolaryngologists should consider EE in patients presenting with dysphagia. A careful gastroenterology review of symptoms may also allow otolaryngologists to identify EE in patients with allergy mediated nasal complaints, or laryngeal/airway disorders.