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 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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

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 .     

鼻用激素预防治疗变应性鼻炎临床研究

目的观察症状发作前4周使用布地奈德鼻喷剂预防治疗蒿属花粉过敏变应性鼻炎（AR）的效果。方法选择变应原为蒿属花粉的中重度持续性AR患者40例,随机分为2组,预防治疗组按照患者既往发作时间提前4周予以布地奈德喷鼻,对照组不予任何处理,定期随访。症状发作患者均予以布地奈德喷鼻和氯雷他定口服治疗。所有患者用药坚持至发作期后2个月,采用日记卡形式记录每天鼻部、眼部症状分数,并定期采用鼻结膜炎相关生活质量问卷（rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire,RQLQ）评价对生活质量影响。结果预防治疗组发作7例,对照组全部发作,预防治疗组发作患者中发作时间向后推迟的现象较对照组明显,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.001）。预防治疗组发作时鼻部、眼部症状及生活质量影响明显轻,较对照组差异有统计学意义（P均〈0.01）。结论症状发作前4周鼻腔局部使用布地奈德预防治疗蒿属花粉过敏AR,能够减少发作例数,推迟发作时间,减轻发作时鼻部及眼部症状,改善生活质量。     

Speech production in deaf implanted children with additional disabilities and comparison with age-equivalent implanted children without such disorders

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term speech intelligibility in implanted children with additional disorders and compare them with age-equivalent implanted children without such disorders. PATIENTS: 175 profoundly deaf children 5 years following cochlear implantation; 67 children with additional difficulties and 108 children without such difficulties. All children were implanted under 5-year-old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Speech intelligibility rating (SIR) scale that can be readily applied to young deaf children irrespective of their performance and is reliable between observers. RESULTS: Five years following implantation, 47 (70%) children with additional difficulties developed connected intelligible speech versus 104 (96%) in the control group. However, the quality of speech was quite different between the two groups, as only 11 (16%) children with additional difficulties achieved the two higher categories (intelligible to all or to people with little experience), whereas 66 (61%) children in the control group did (P<0.000001). The total number of additional disorders had the strongest correlation with the outcome. Language and communication disorders were the most important contributing factor, followed by physical, cognitive, and autistic spectrum disorders. CONCLUSION: The majority of deaf children with additional disorders develop connected intelligible speech 5 years following implantation; however, a significant proportion do not develop any speech at all. Thus a third of this group did not realise one of the most important objectives for parents of implantation. Benefit from implantation should not be restricted to speech production alone in this specific population.     

Suction cautery and electrosurgical risks in otolaryngology

BACKGROUND: Flash fires, mucosal injuries and commissure burns during otolaryngology procedures have been largely attributed to anesthetic and surgical errors. Reports of direct electrosurgical device related events are rare. The discovery of thermal damage to the oral commissure during routine suction cautery adenoidectomy at our institution prompted a detailed investigation of the device's thermal properties. We complement this analysis with a review of electrocautery device related injuries reported in otolaryngology literature. METHODS: FLIR Systems Thermovision A40 infrared camera was used to evaluate temperature changes along the electrosurgical wand of suction cautery devices. Shaft temperatures were measured at specific times of continuous use, distances along the shaft, and cautery settings. A literature search of electrocautery-associated injuries during upper aerodigestive procedure was then performed. Nine pediatric otolaryngologists were then interviewed for historical experience with electrocautery injuries. RESULTS: Temperatures exceeding 60 degrees C, and sufficient to cause thermal soft tissue damage, occurred along the suction cautery wand at a setting of 40 Watts (W). These temperatures traveled far enough to appose the oral commissure when the device was simultaneously in continuous use, in the fulgurate mode, and with the suction turned off. Literature review identified eleven articles specifically pertaining to electrosurgical injuries during routine oropharyngeal procedures. Flash fires and their associated burns were the most frequently reported complication. Conversely, seven of ten cases elicited from peer interviews were oral or commissure burns attributed to improper insulation of electrocautery devices. CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent electrosurgical injuries during routine otolaryngology procedures can result from inadequate equipment insulation. Techniques to reduce the likelihood of these events are discussed.     

Lateral semicircular canal-BPPV: Prospective randomized study on the efficacy of four repositioning maneuvers

IntroductionMultiple repositioning maneuvers have been described to treat lateral semi-circular canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (LC-BPPV) patients. In this study, we compare efficacy of four therapeutic repositioning maneuvers for LC-BPPV patients and aim to identify clinical variables associated with persistent disease.Material and methodsA prospective study was conducted at a tertiary center, between January 2017 and September 2019. Patients diagnosed with LC-BPPV were randomly treated with Gufoni or barbecue-roll maneuvers (for the geotropic variant) and Gufoni-Appiani, barbecue-roll or Zuma-e-Maia maneuvers (for the apogeotropic form). Efficacy was compared and statistical analysis was performed to find clinical factors associated with no response.ResultsForty-eight patients and 82 maneuvers were included. Female patients and right side were more commonly affected. The mean age was 67 years. Seven cases (14.6%) resulted from a canal-switch. One single maneuver resolved 23 cases (47.9%) and the success rate rose to 75% at the end of the first visit (after up to 4 maneuvers) and to 93.8% after a-week of follow-up. Success rates were significantly better with Gufoni (68%) than with barbecue roll (34.8%; p = 0.021) in geotropic LC-BPPV and better with Gufoni-Appiani (71.4%) than barbecue roll and Zuma-e-Maia maneuvers (33.3%; p = 0.239) in apogeotropic LC-BPPV. Higher rates of persistent disease after first visit were found with older patients, left side and apogeotropic LC-BPPV and with longer latency and duration diagnostic nystagmus.ConclusionOur study suggests that Gufoni and Gufoni-Appiani maneuvers may be the most efficacious treatment for geotropic and apogeotropic LC-BPPV, respectively, compared to barbecue-roll and Zuma-e-Maia maneuvers.     

Outcomes and Efficacy of Newborn Hearing Screening: Strengths and Weaknesses (Success or Failure?)

Objective: To assess the outcomes of neonatal hearing screening with regard to the final diagnosis in a very large number of newborns and investigate related strengths and weaknesses of the program. Subjects: In this study, 76,560 newborns were assessed. Method: All neonates were assessed using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). Results: From the 76,560 neonates screened, 1,564 (2%) failed the test. According to the screening protocol, all parents of failed neonates were asked to bring their children 1 month following discharge to repeat the test. Of the 541 (34.6%) newborns who repeated the test, 303 (56%) were found normal and 238 (44%) again failed TEOAE. The latter children were referred to two special public centers for full audiology evaluation. In addition, 124 neonates were also referred due to other reasons revealed in the screening process (family history, high levels of bilirubin, etc.). Of the 362 children who were referred to the two special audiology centers, 113 (31.2%) were evaluated by these two centers. In addition, 42 children who had failed initial screening and did not show up for a follow‐up appointment to repeat TEOAE were also assessed in the same centers. Of the 155 children who had a special audiologic evaluation, 56 (36.1%) were found to have hearing loss (HL) and 99 (63.9%) normal hearing. In detail, 28 had bilateral sensorineural HL greater than 40 dB, 10 had unilateral sensorineural HL greater than 40 dB, and 18 had otitis media with effusion or other conductive HL. Conclusions: Derived from the present study: 1) repeated testing of “failed” newborns in the maternity hospital and before discharge leads to an acceptable referral rate of 2%; 2) the 1‐month follow‐up of “failed” newborns further limits the false positive results but leads to high rate of newborns lost to follow‐up; 3) a dedicated secretariat system should be implemented to follow‐up each “failed” newborn and remind parents about their follow‐up appointments; and 4) additional measures such as detailed educational material and parental friendly approach should also be implemented.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the normal human cochlea

Preservation of the fine structures of the human cochlea has been achieved by perfusing the cochlea with fixative shortly after death. Following the dissection of the temporal bone the surface of the organ of Corti and stria vascularis has been examined in the scanning electron microscope. The surfaces of the inner and outer hair cells can be seen and the stereocilia projecting from their surfaces closely examined. The number and length of the stereocilia of the outer hair cells changes linearly with distance along the cochlear duct. The surface of the stria vascularis is similar to that seen in other animals.     

Maligne Speicheldrüsentumoren Früherkennung,Nachsorge und Therapie

Zusammenfassung Anhand von 207 Patienten mit malignen Speicheldrüsentumoren, die von 1965 bis 1975 behandelt wurden, werden Probleme der Früherkennung, der Nachsorge und der Therapie untersucht.Die Früherkennung maligner Speicheldrüsentumoren ist dadurch erschwert, daß für die hoch malignen Tumortypen dafür nur ein sehr kurzer Zeitraum zur Verfügung steht und Risikogruppen in der Bevölkerung nicht bekannt sind.Für eine Nachsorge ist die hohe Rate von lokalen Tumorrezidiven gerade bei den Speichelgang-, den Mukoepidermoid-, den Azinuszell- sowie den adenoidcystischen Carcinomen mit Werten von 71% bis zu 83% von Bedeutung. Spätrezidive sind häufig. Außerdem besteht ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen dem Auftreten lokaler Rezidive und einer lymphogenen oder haematogenen Metastasierung.Die Operation und abhängig vom Tumortyp, eine Nachbestrahlung ist die Therapie der Wahl maligner Speicheldrüsentumoren. Die Chemotherapie spielt heute noch eine untergeordnete Rolle. Das Ausmaß des chirurgischen Eingriffes ist abhängig vom histologischen Tumortyp und vom Tumorstadium. Es reicht von der lateralen Parotidektomie mit Facialisschonung bis zur radikalen Parotidektomie mit und ohne Rekonstruktion des Gesichtsnerven. Trotz eines radikal-chirurgischen Vorgehens neigen viele Speicheldrüsenmalignome, insbesondere die adenoidcystischen Carcinome, zu Rezidiven. Die Langzeitprognose ist dann schlecht. Sie konnte durch eine postoperative Bestrahlung nicht verbessert werden.Die Leitlinien, die für die Behandlung dieser 207 Speicheldrüsenmalignome galten, werden, bereichert durch die Erkenntnisse der Nachuntersuchung, zu einem modifizierten Therapiekonzept zusammengefaßt.Herrn Professor Dr. A. Miehlke zu seinem 65. Geburtstag gewidmet     

应用mCTSIB评价眩晕患者姿势平衡

目的：应用站立海绵垫干扰直立人体本体觉,探讨该方法的临床检查测试——感觉整合和平衡的临床改良测试（mCTSIB）在眩晕患者姿势平衡评价中的意义。方法：对62例前庭末梢病变和44例前庭中枢病变患者进行mCTSIB。共进行4种条件下的测试,T1：睁眼站立于坚硬平板;T2：闭眼站立于坚硬平板;T3：睁眼站立于海绵垫;T4：闭眼站立于海绵垫。每种条件下睁眼和闭眼各站立30s。记录测试中身体倾倒情况,比较患者的mCTSIB和视频眼震图仪（VNG）结果。结果：在前庭末梢病变患者中,mCTSIB的异常率是45．16％（28／62）,与VNG的一致率为67．74％（42／62）;在前庭中枢病变患者中,mCTSIB的异常率是27．27％（12／44）,与VNG的一致率为81．82％（36／44）;在所有患者中,mCTSIB的异常率是37．74％（40／106）,与VNG的一致率为73．58％（78／106）。以倾倒为参数分析其在前庭末梢和前庭中枢病变患者中出现的异常率,差异无统计学意义（χ^2=3．505,P〉0．05）。结论：mCTSIB简便易行,虽不能作为鉴别前庭末梢和前庭中枢病变的方法,但适宜于眩晕患者应用感觉信息维持平衡能力的初步评价。