Joan Lorente-Piera

Background: Vestibular dysfunction has increasingly been recognized in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly in relation to postural instability, gait impairment, and altered sensorimotor integration. However, the central metabolic effects associated with acute targeted otolithic vestibular stimulation remain poorly understood. Objectives: To explore the acute metabolic correlates associated with otolithic vestibular stimulation using ¹⁸ F-FDG PET in a non-human primate model of PD following vestibular implantation. Methods: A unilateral otolithic vestibular implant was placed in a macaque ( Macaca fascicularis ) with MPTP-induced Parkinsonism. Parkinsonian severity and persistence of motor impairment were descriptively assessed using repeated blinded Kurlan motor scale evaluations and standardized fine motor performance tasks. Longitudinal ¹⁸ F-FDG PET imaging was performed during four experimental stages: basal pre-MPTP condition, MPTP-induced parkinsonian state before implantation, and one- and two-month post-implantation evaluations. Post-implantation PET acquisitions were obtained under OFF and ON stimulation conditions. Voxel-wise subtraction analyses were performed to characterize relative metabolic differences across experimental stages and stimulation conditions. Results: MPTP administration induced a persistent parkinsonian phenotype characterized by marked deterioration in fine motor performance relative to baseline, together with persistently elevated Kurlan motor scores throughout follow-up. Metabolically, the MPTP-induced condition was associated with relative hypermetabolism involving especially audiovestibular cortical areas, accompanied by relative hypometabolism in frontal executive, paralimbic, and visual associative regions. Acute vestibular stimulation (ON vs. OFF) demonstrated state-dependent metabolic differences across post-implantation evaluations. During stimulation, increased metabolism predominantly involved vestibulo–thalamo–striatal, sensorimotor, and limbic–paralimbic networks. In contrast, OFF conditions showed relatively greater involvement in visual associative cortices and cerebellar vermis. Conclusion: Acute otolithic vestibular stimulation was associated with metabolic modulation of vestibulo–thalamo–striatal and sensorimotor-related networks in a parkinsonian non-human primate model. These findings provide proof-of-concept evidence supporting the capacity of vestibular neurostimulation to engage distributed central motor integration circuits.

Objective: To critically synthesize the available evidence on the pathophysiological variants of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV) and to propose an integrative model based on otoconial location and cupular dynamics to explain their clinical presentation and therapeutic implications. Methods: A scoping review was conducted through a search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 1996 and May 2026. Studies describing pathophysiological variants, biomechanical mechanisms, nystagmus patterns, or therapeutic maneuvers in HSC-BPPV were included. A total of 26 studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent qualitative analysis. Results: Six principal mechanical configurations of horizontal canal positional vertigo were identified: long-arm canalolithiasis, short-arm canalolithiasis, canal-side cupulolithiasis, utricular-side cupulolithiasis, canalith jam, and light cupula. The available evidence suggests that these variants represent different mechanical states determined by otoconial location, otoconia–cupula interaction, canal obstruction, or alterations in cupula–endolymph density. This model explains the direction, intensity, and duration of positional nystagmus, the findings observed during the supine roll test and the bow and lean test, as well as the variability in response to repositioning maneuvers. A practical classification integrating pathophysiology, clinical findings, and treatment is proposed. Conclusions: HSC-BPPV may be more appropriately understood as a spectrum of mechanical states in which the configuration of otoconial debris and its interaction with the cupula influence the nystagmus pattern, clinical presentation, and therapeutic response. This integrative model may improve diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment selection, although prospective validation is required.

Background/Objectives: Skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) is a rapid bedside test that reveals vestibular asymmetry. Its clinical utility in Ménière’s disease (MD) remains controversial, particularly regarding its association with radiological endolymphatic hydrops (EH). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SVIN, audiovestibular parameters, and EH severity in patients with unilateral definite MD. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary academic referral center and included patients with unilateral MD who underwent SVIN testing (SVT), audiovestibular evaluation (PTA, cVEMP, oVEMP, vHIT, and caloric testing), and 3T MRI with gadolinium-enhanced 3D-FLAIR sequences to quantify EH. Results: In total, 84 patients were included in the study. SVIN was present in 57.14% of patients (n = 48), with ipsilesional nystagmus being the most frequent subtype (64.58%). Patients with SVIN had significantly higher vestibular EH (p = 0.017) and vestibular endolymphatic ratio (REL) in the affected ear (p = 0.019). Disease duration (p = 0.026) and shorter time since last vertigo spell (p = 0.018) were also associated with SVIN presence. REL correlated moderately with disease duration (r = 0.390, p < 0.001), PTA (r = 0.576, p < 0.001), and number of vertigo spells (r = 0.236, p = 0.031), but not with time since last crisis (r = −0.127, p = 0.252). ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.735 for REL in predicting SVIN. Conclusions: SVIN correlates with the severity of vestibular EH. This finding indicates a stimulus-locked response of a vestibular asymmetry rather than a purely structural alteration.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate long-term auditory outcomes in patients with inner ear malformations (IEMs) treated with cochlear or auditory brainstem implants (CI/ABI) and assess the influence of anatomical subtype, electrode design, insertion depth, and genetic/syndromic background on hearing performance over a 10-year follow-up. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study including patients with radiologically confirmed IEMs and bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss, all of whom underwent implantation and completed at least 10 years of follow-up. Outcomes were assessed using pure-tone average (PTA) and speech recognition scores (SRSs) at defined intervals. Additional analyses explored the influence of electrode array design, insertion depth, genetic and syndromic diagnosis, and intraoperative complications. Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the study, of whom 71 (86.58%) received a CI, while the remaining 11 patients (13.41%) were treated with an ABI. After a 10-year follow-up, the mean PTA gain with CI was 64.56 ± 14.52 dB, and mean SRS improved by 56.88 ± 25.32%. On the other hand, patients treated with ABI presented a gain of 45.00 ± 18.22 and 32.62 ± 10.67% dB, respectively. Enlarged vestibular aqueduct had the highest 10-year SRS (80.04%), whereas cochlear nerve agenesis, Michel deformity, and cochlear hypoplasia type I had the lowest (23.72%, 24.00%, and 26.50%, respectively). The mean insertion depth was 19.66 ± 3.74 mm and showed a non-significant correlation with final SRS (r = 0.243, p = 0.084). The presence of residual auditory brainstem responses was significantly associated with better pre-implant PTA (p = 0.041) and higher SRS at 10 years (p = 0.034). Finally, having a syndromic condition was not significantly associated with the risk of a worse SRS at 10 years post-implantation (p = 0.091), nor with poorer auditory outcomes measured in PTA prior to surgery (p = 0.315). Conclusion: Auditory outcomes in IEMs are modulated by malformation subtype, neural status, and electrode design. A stratified, anatomy-guided approach is essential, especially when considering perimodiolar arrays. Delayed gains in some subtypes underscore the value of long-term follow-up, and integrating imaging and genetic data may enhance personalized implant strategies.

Background/Objectives: Tonal thresholds, typically assessed through pure-tone audiometry (PTA), are central to the audiological evaluation of Ménière’s disease (MD). However, they fail to capture the complexity of real-life speech perception. This study aimed to characterize the relationship between PTA and speech recognition performance in unilateral MD and to determine whether a measurable dissociation exists between hearing sensitivity and verbal processing. We also evaluated frequency-specific audiometric patterns and potential threshold cut-off values associated with speech recognition decline. Methods: A total of 254 ears from 127 patients were included in the study across three groups: the Ménière group (affected and unaffected ears, n = 64 each) and the control group (n = 63). The pure-tone thresholds, speech recognition threshold (SRT), and the maximum word recognition scores (Rmax) were assessed in all participants. Results: Although the Ménière affected and control groups showed comparable pure-tone average (PTA) values (46.33 vs. 38.13 dB, p = 0.439), the affected group demonstrated significantly poorer speech performance (Rmax: 76.25% vs. 87.49%, p < 0.001; SRT: 50.64 vs. 38.45 dB, p = 0.009). The Ménière unaffected group exhibited near-ceiling performance (Rmax: 99.38%, SRT: 18.33 dB) and a mean PTA of 19.59 dB. A strong correlation between PTA and SRT was observed only in the Ménière affected group (r = 0.942, p < 0.001), whereas correlations were moderate in the unaffected (r = 0.671, p < 0.001) and control (r = 0.728, p < 0.001) groups. The ROC analysis revealed that PTA predicted impaired speech recognition with high accuracy in unaffected (AUC = 0.956, p < 0.001) and control (AUC = 0.829, p < 0.001) ears but far less so in affected ears (AUC = 0.784; all p < 0.001), confirming a functional tonal–verbal dissociation in MD. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a functional audiometric dissociation in unilateral Ménière’s disease. Affected ears show poorer speech recognition and require higher intensities despite similar PTA values. The predictive link between thresholds and verbal performance is disrupted. These findings support the need for combined tonal and speech-based assessment in clinical practice.

Introduction In otology consultations, patients with chronic otitis media (COM) often present as candidates for various hearing rehabilitation options. Selecting the most suitable approach requires careful consideration of patient preferences and expectations, the risk of disease progression, and the integrity of the bone conduction pathway. This study aims to evaluate and compare postoperative hearing outcomes in COM patients undergoing tympanoplasty (with or without passive middle ear implants), bone conduction systems (BCI), or active middle ear implants (AMEI). The objective is to assess the effectiveness of each surgical approach in hearing rehabilitation, considering the type and severity of hearing loss as well as the duration of the disease. Methods Retrospective data analysis in a tertiary referral center studying average PTA across six different frequencies, speech perception at 65 dB, influence of Eustachian tube dysfunction, reintervention rate and adverse effects, and the influence of disease duration on functional outcomes via linear regression analysis. Results 116 patients underwent surgery due to COM between 1998 and 2024. With a slight female predominance (54.31%). AMEIs and bone conduction devices provided the highest amplification in terms of PTA and speech discrimination, with a lower reintervention rate when comparing both groups with passive middle ear implants, OR in BCI group of 0.30 (0.10; 0.89, p = 0.030), OR in VSB group of 0.15 (0.04; 0.56, p = 0.005). It was also observed that a longer evolution time could be associated with greater auditory gain, with a p-value = 0.033. Conclusions The selection of each treatment option primarily depends on bone conduction thresholds, along with surgical risk, patient preferences, and MRI compatibility. In our study, AMEIs demonstrated the highest functional gain in terms of speech discrimination and frequency-specific amplification, followed by BCI. These findings support the use of implantable hearing solutions as effective alternatives for auditory rehabilitation in COM patients.

Adverse effects of immunotherapeutic treatments like atezolizumab remain largely unknown due to limited experience. We present a 65-year-old man with sudden dyspnea and other symptoms, implicating immunotherapy. Prompt intervention and suspension were crucial. This study identifies a novel unreported adverse effect—bilateral vocal cord and velopalatine paralysis—associated with atezolizumab use.