Research in Vestibular Science

Original Article

The Periodic Fluctuation of Intra-Annual Distribution of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Meteorological Parameters: Chae Dong Yim, Ki Ju Cho, Hyun Jin Lee, Dong Gu Hur, Rock-Bum Kim, Seong-Ki Ahn; Res Vestib Sci. 2020;19(3):99-103. Published online September 15, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2020.19.3.99

Abstract PDF: Objectives
The influence of specific meteorological conditions, such as solar radiation quantity, duration of sunshine, and their covariation on the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has been rarely investigated. Aiming at better predictions of the monthly variation of BPPV, we investigated variations in the monthly incidence of BPPV patients and meteorological parameters.
Methods
A total of 2,111 patients who had been diagnosed with BPPV at one institution were analyzed retrospectively. Monthly counts of BPPV patients were analyzed for incidence distributions throughout the 5 years. The relationship between intra-annual distribution of BPPV and meteorological parameters was compared by the time series analysis.
Results
The lowest monthly incidence of BPPV patients was found in September and the highest monthly incidence was found in December. Statistically, as a result of the time series analysis, a periodic fluctuation of both quantity of solar radiation (p=0.004) and percentage of sunshine duration (p=0.002) was identified, but a periodic fluctuation of both number of BPPV patients (p=0.316) and sunshine duration (p=0.057) was not identified.
Conclusions
Unlike previous studies, the results of time series analysis did not confirm that there is a periodic fluctuation in the incidence of BPPV patients. The incidence of BPPV may be more affected by other factors than by meteorological parameters.

Case Report

Arnold-Chiari Type 1 Malformation Mimicking Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: Young Chul Kim, Chae Dong Yim, Hyun Jin Lee, Dong Gu Hur, Seong Ki Ahn; Res Vestib Sci. 2019;18(3):87-90. Published online September 15, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2019.18.3.87

Abstract PDF: Arnold-Chiari malformation type 1 is a congenital disease characterized by herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. Most common clinical symptom is pain, including occipital headache and neck pain, upper limb pain exacerbated by physical activity or valsalva maneuvers. Various otoneurological manifestations also occur in patients with the disease, which has usually associated with dizziness, vomiting, dysphagia, poor hand coordination, unsteady gait, numbness. Patients with Arnold-Chiari malformation may develop vertigo after spending some time with their head inclined on their trunk. Positional and down-beating nystagmus are common forms of nystagmus in them. We experienced a 12-year-old female who presented complaining of vertigo related to changes in head position which was initially misdiagnosed as a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Original Article

Incidence of Progression into Ménière Disease from Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Midterm Follow-up Study: Byeong Min Lee, Jin Hyun Seo, Hyun Woo Park, Hyun Jin Lee, Dong Gu Hur, Seong Ki Ahn; Res Vestib Sci. 2018;17(3):95-101. Published online September 18, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2018.17.3.95

Abstract PDF: Objectives
Ménière disease is a clinical syndrome characterized by the four major symptoms of episodic vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. Sensorineural hearing loss, especially low frequency, is the characteristic type of audiogram in Ménière's disease. However, it is difficult to distinguish idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) with vertigo from the first attack of Ménière disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of progression into Ménière Disease from low frequency ISSNHL.
Methods
Two hundred eighty-three patients were included in this study. We classified the patients with ISSNHL according to the hearing loss in audiogram and analyzed how many of them actually progressed to Ménière disease based on diagnosis criteria.
Results
Among the 240 patients, 37.1% (89 patients) were confirmed low frequency ISSNHL and 14.6% (13 patients) of them were diagnosed with Meniere disease.
Conclusions
This study showed that the progression from low frequency ISSNHL to Ménière disease was higher than other frequency ISSNHL, as in other studies.

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