Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in Bell’s palsy

The aim of the present study was to evaluate vestibular nerve involvement in patients with Bell’s palsy with ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP and cVEMP). Ten patients who were diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and ten healthy controls were included. All patients underwent VEMP recordings within 6 days after their initial presentation. Patients with Bell’s palsy had greater oVEMP asymmetry ratio comparing to healthy controls (?38.4 ± 28.7 % vs ?1.3 ± 19.3 %, p = 0.005). As well N10 latencies of the oVEMP response were prolonged comparing to healthy controls (11.575 vs 9.72 ms). There was no difference in cVEMP asymmetry ratio or latencies between groups. We found no correlation between House–Brackmann grading scale and oVEMP asymmetry ratio (r = 0.003, p = 0.994). There are three possible explanations for increased oVEMP amplitudes on the affected side: (1) oVEMP response on the ipsilateral eye could be contaminated by facial nerve activity (blink reflex); (2) the amplitude of N10-P33 could be affected through the stapedial reflex; and (3) increased oVEMP amplitude could be the consequence of the vestibular nerve dysfunction itself, with prolonged latencies of the N10 oVEMP further supporting this explanation. The results of this study indicate possible involvement of the superior branch of the vestibular nerve in patients with Bell’s palsy.     

Both the middle and distal sections of the urethra may be regarded as optimal targets for ‘outside-in’ transobturator tape placement

Purpose

To investigate whether the position of the tape under the urethra may influence ‘outside-in’ transobturator sling (TOT) outcome.

Methods

The study comprised 141 women who underwent TOT for clinically and urodynamically proved stress urinary incontinence. The postoperative ultrasound examination with an endovaginal biplane probe was performed before discharging the patients from hospital. The measurements obtained described the position of the tape relative to the urethra and pubic symphysis, as well as anatomical relationships in the anterior compartment.

Results

Ninety-six (68.1 %) patients were cured, 27 (19.1 %) significantly improved, and in 18 cases (12.7 %), the surgery failed. The tape position under the midurethra (40–70th percentile of the urethral length) or distal urethra (>70th percentile) coincided with better results (cure rate 67.1 and 82.4 %, respectively) than the location in the proximity of the bladder neck (<40th percentile) (21.4 % cured, p = 0.0015 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the risk of failure was the lowest when the tape was located under the distal urethra. Other ultrasonographic findings were not related to treatment results.

Conclusions

The highest failure rate for ‘outside-in’ TOT is associated with the location of the tape under the proximal third of the urethra. Both the middle and distal sections of the urethra may be regarded as targets for transobturator tape placement.     

Opioidrotation bei „mixed pain“ in der Tumorschmerztherapie

Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift - Im vorliegenden Fallbericht wird die Situation einer 67-jährigen chronischen Schmerzpatientin geschildert, die aufgrund eines Zufallsbefundes mit der...     

Mitochondrial Heat Shock Response Induced by Ectromelia Virus is Accompanied by Reduced Apoptotic Potential in Murine L929 Fibroblasts

Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis - Poxviruses utilize multiple strategies to prevent activation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways for successful replication....