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Introduction: While the cochleotoxicity of cisplatin has been well investigated, less is known about the effects of platinum-based chemotherapy on the vestibular system. In particular, there is a lack of prospective studies using modern laboratory vestibular testing that examine the effects of cisplatin on the semicircular canals and on the otolith organs. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the vestibulotoxic effect of cisplatin in patients with head and neck tumors who are undergoing chemoradiation. Methods: Forty-five patients undergoing cisplatin-based chemoradiation for head and neck cancer received a vestibular assessment consisting of anamnesis, a horizontal video head impulse test (vHIT), ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing, as well as pure tone audiometry. This assessment was performed before therapy, 6 weeks after therapy, and 3 months after therapy. Results: Video head impulse test showed a significantly reduced median gain 6 weeks after chemoradiation. In addition, significantly more refixational saccades could be detected after therapy. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing results also revealed significant changes, whereas pure tone audiometry did not. None of the patients mentioned "dizziness" during the follow-up examinations. Conclusion: We demonstrated a vestibulotoxic effect of cisplatin-based chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancer. Future studies are needed to better understand cisplatin-induced vestibulotoxicity and to identify possible vestibuloprotective substances. Still, before and after chemoradiation, patients should undergo not only auditory testing but also vestibular testing in order to detect potential vestibular loss as soon as possible and to quickly initiate vestibular physiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) in the sinonasal tract (SNT) is a rarity that has been firstly described in 1958. Since then, there have been only a few articles about this entity. Most of the data available about LMS in the SNT is derived from case reports. We believe that our case will support the data set and help guiding the management of this rare condition. A 84-year-old female presented with nasal airway obstruction on the left side. She experienced several episodes of epistaxis from her left nostril, what made her to seek medical care. A rhinoscopy revealed an obstructing mass in the left nasal cavity. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the paranasal sinuses revealed a homogenous mass occupying the left nasal cavity, bone destruction of the left middle, and inferior nasal turbinates. An infiltration of the left nasolacrimal duct was also present. The patient refused to undergo open surgery and the mass was removed during an endoscopic approach. The histopathological analysis combined with immunohistochemistry was consistent with LMS. The resection margins were positive for tumor cells. A staging with CT-neck-thorax, abdomen ultrasound, and MRI of the head ruled out metastases. She underwent a second endoscopic tumor resection surgery with positive resection margins and obtained adjuvant radiotherapy. On 9 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence or metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the usability of querying subjective impairments of the sense of smell and taste in order to improve pre‐test probability in testing for SARS‐CoV‐2. To achieve this, exploring the prevalence of these restrictions in the COVID‐19‐negative population, as well as nasal co‐symptoms. Design: A cross‐sectional study was carried out as part of the secondary prophylaxis, following the STROBE guidelines of the EQUATOR network. Methods: In total, 1,734 employees of retirement and nursing homes were tested for COVID‐19 and asked for subjective reduction or loss in the sense of smell and taste, furthermore about nasal co‐symptoms such as nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea. Results: All employees tested negative for COVID‐19. Subjective hyposmia and hypogeusia rarely occurred and were usually accompanied by other nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction. Querying subjective hyposmia/anosmia or hypogeusia/ageusia appears to be a useful anamnestic instrument for the clinical assessment of the probability of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder, which is associated with recurrent oxygen desaturation during sleep. It has already been shown that nocturnal hypoxia may lead to cochlear dysfunction in patients with OSA. Less is known whether hypoxia during sleep also impacts vestibular function in those patients. Thus, the aim of the presented study was to assess a potential vestibulotoxic effect of nightly desaturations with hypoxia in patients with OSA by investigating a possible correlation between respiratory parameters and vestibular function tests. Methods: A total of 56 patients were included in the study and underwent a fully attended cardiorespiratory polysomnography (PSG). Vestibular function was assessed using video head impulse test to evaluate horizontal semicircular canal function and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) to measure otolith function. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and correlation analysis between selected PSG parameters and the results of vestibular testing was performed using Kendall τ coefficient. Results: A significant correlation between vestibular function and respiratory polysomnographic parameters could not be demonstrated in the study (P >.05) but cVEMP and oVEMP results showed a trend toward a correlation with oxygen desaturation indices and apnea–hypopnea index. Additionally, otolith hypofunction was more prevalent in patients with hypertension as well as OSA. Conclusion: The results of our study show that there is no significant correlation between vestibular function and sleep apnea parameters, although otolith dysfunction might be more prevalent in patients with OSA and hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]