This paper presents diagnostic criteria for Menière's disease jointly formulated by the Classification Committee of the Bárány Society, The Japan Society for Equilibrium Research, the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (EAONO), the Equilibrium Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Korean Balance Society. The classification includes two categories: definite Menière's disease and probable Menière's disease. The diagnosis of definite Menière's disease is based on clinical criteria and requires the observation of an episodic vertigo syndrome associated with low- to medium-frequency sensorineural hearing loss and fluctuating aural symptoms (hearing, tinnitus and/or fullness) in the affected ear. Duration of vertigo episodes is limited to a period between 20 minutes and 12 hours. Probable Menière's disease is a broader concept defined by episodic vestibular symptoms (vertigo or dizziness) associated with fluctuating aural symptoms occurring in a period from 20 minutes to 24 hours.

Diagnostic Criteria for Meniere's Disease

Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to develop clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer. This Task Force conducted a systematic search of the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases to identify relevant articles, using search terms selected according to the key questions. Evidence-based recommendations were then created on the basis of these articles. An external expert review and Delphi questionnaire were applied to reach consensus regarding the recommendations. The resulting guidelines focus on the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer with the assumption that surgery is the selected treatment modality after a multidisciplinary discussion in any context. These guidelines do not, therefore, address non-surgical treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The committee developed 62 evidence-based recommendations in 32 categories intended to assist clinicians during management of patients with laryngeal cancer and patients with laryngeal cancer, and counselors and health policy-makers.

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Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Laryngeal Cancer: Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery

Esophageal speech (ES), tracheoesophageal speech (TES) and/or electrolarynx speech (ELS) are three speech rehabilitation methods which are commonly provided after total laryngectomy (TL). A systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate comparative acoustic, perceptual, and patient-reported outcomes for ES, TES, ELS and healthy speakers. Twenty-six articles could be included. In most studies, methodological quality was low. It is likely that an inclusion bias exists, many studies only included exceptional speakers. Significant better outcomes are reported for TES compared to ES for the acoustic parameters, fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time and intensity. Perceptually, TES is rated with a significant better voice quality and intelligibility than ES and ELS. None of the speech rehabilitation groups reported clearly better outcomes in patient-reported outcomes. Studies on speech outcomes after TL are flawed in design and represent weak levels of evidence. There is an urge for standardized measurement tools for evaluations of substitute voice speakers. TES is the favorable speech rehabilitation method according to acoustic and perceptual outcomes. All speaker groups after TL report a degree of voice handicap. Knowledge of caretakers and differences in health care and insurance systems play a role in the speech rehabilitation options that can be offered.

/pdf/objective-and-subjective-voice-outcomes-after-total-18a0kshxcf.pdf

Objective and subjective voice outcomes after total laryngectomy: a systematic review.

Patients with throat cancer at later stages often undergo total laryngectomy, a procedure that removes the larynx (voice box) and directly impacts the patient’s ability to produce natural voice and communication. This narrative review aimed to explore how changes to communication following laryngectomy may impact quality of life (QoL) for patients. Literature searches were conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsychInfo databases for studies published between 2007 and 2018. The search terms (and derivatives) of laryngectomy AND communication AND quality of life were used. A synthesis and appraisal of the studies was conducted. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The two main themes identified relating to changes in communication and impact on QoL were changes in communication competency (immediate changes and communication option used) and adaptation to change (e.g. self-related factors and relationships with others). Regardless of the type of communication option used, participants in all studies reported negative changes in their communication competency and QoL post-laryngectomy. Voice-related factors and aesthetics of the communication option used were noted to influence self-ratings of QoL for the participants, rather than how well others understood them. Participants using tracheoesophageal speech (TES) consistently showed the highest self-reported QoL across the majority of studies. A model incorporating the findings from this review has been proposed which outlines how changes in communication post-laryngectomy may lead to an impact on QoL. Here, the factors of changes in communication competency, self-perception and social engagement impact each other and are also influenced by adaptation to change. This review has highlighted the complex nature of changes faced by patients following laryngectomy in relation to communication and QoL. The model linking communication changes to QoL may become a useful tool for researchers and clinicians in supporting the management of patients post-laryngectomy.

Communication changes with laryngectomy and impact on quality of life: A review

Evaluation of life quality, self-confidence and sexual functions in patients with total and partial laryngectomy.

Quality of life in patients submitted to total laryngectomy.

Introduction MD is considered a rare disease. An adequate model that explains MD's pathophysiology is not well established. Recently, the vascular theory of the disease has been revived. Objectives To characterize a MD population according to its cardiovascular risk and correlate it to the MD clinical course. Methods In this retrospective chart study the data of 31 MD patients observed between January 2017 and April 2018 in a tertiary university hospital were reviewed. Patients included in the study were diagnosed according to the Barany Society criteria. Lost follow-ups, patients with autoimmune disease, atopy or allergy, major psychiatric disease and migraine were excluded. Age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, audiometric and vestibular parameters, occurrence of MD attacks in the previous 6 months, vestibular medication in course and time course of MD were recorded and compared between groups (with and without cardiovascular risk factors). Results 31 patients (61.3% females) mean aged 60.3 years (±9.7) were studied. 74% of the population had at least one risk factor and 51.6% of patients had attacks in the last 6 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of MD attacks in the last 6 months (p = 0.014) between MD patients with and without risk factors. Mean PTA thresholds were higher and speech discrimination was lower in individuals with more cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions Treatment of MD focusing on vascular risk factors may allow a better control of symptoms and result in a decreased need for ablative procedures in this disorder.

The cardiovascular aspects of a Ménière's disease population - A pilot study.

Behavioral Profile of Children With Vocal Fold Nodules-A Case-control Study.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is the commonest connective tissue hereditary disease. Its clinical presentation has a wide spectrum of characteristics, which includes skeletal deformities and hearing loss. We describe three case reports of individuals carriers of this disease presenting with different patterns of hearing loss. Hearing loss prevalence and patterns are variable and have no clear relation with genotype. Its assessment at initial evaluation and posterior monitoring is essential to provide the best therapeutic alternatives. © 2012 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Hearing Loss—Description of Three Case Reports

Resumen La osteogenesis imperfecta es la enfermedad hereditaria del tejido conectivo mas frecuente. Su presentacion clinica tiene un amplio espectro de caracteristicas que incluyen deformidades esqueleticas e hipoacusia. Se describen 3 casos clinicos de pacientes portadores de esta enfermedad, que se presentan con diferentes patrones de hipoacusia. La prevalencia y los patrones de la hipoacusia son variables y no tienen una relacion clara con el genotipo. Su evaluacion en la exploracion inicial y posterior seguimiento es esencial para ofrecer las mejores alternativas terapeuticas.

Telma Feliciano

Papers

Quality of life in patients submitted to total laryngectomy.

The cardiovascular aspects of a Ménière's disease population - A pilot study.

Behavioral Profile of Children With Vocal Fold Nodules-A Case-control Study.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Hearing Loss—Description of Three Case Reports

Osteogénesis imperfecta e hipoacusia. Descripción de 3 casos