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Biomedical subjects

Marina Savastano

Publications and source records attributed to Marina Savastano.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Non-specific immunological determinations in Meniere's disease: any role in clinical practice?

Several studies supported the hypothesis that an autoimmune response may be a pathogenetic factor in Meniere's disease occurrence. It has been demonstrated that the endo-lymphatic sac has an important role in the immuno-mediated reaction and it has also become evident that an immunological mechanism may be involved in the development of endo-lymphatic hydrops. The present study was carried out in order to analyse the validity of serological non-specific immune tests in determining the possible role of immune pathology in 200 Meniere's suffering patients. The immune activity was investigated determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein levels, the rheumatoid factor, the serum immunoglobulin levels by group, the complement levels, the lymphocyte sub-populations, the cryoglobulines, the circulating immune complexes (CIC), organ and non-organ auto-antibodies. Levels of Ig, ESR, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, complement fractions and cryoglobulines were either negative or non-significant in the considered cohort of Meniere's disease suffering patients. On the other hand, in more than half of the sample group high values of CIC were found. Data concerning T-lymphocyte sub-population indicates a clear increase in T-helper compared to T-cytotoxic cells, with an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio. The datum of particular interest concerns analysis of T-cells activation complexes. Our present findings show that early activated T-lymphocytes change and in particular changes occur in the expression of the interleukin-2 receptor. Moreover, it seems to be possible to correlate the alteration of the immunological tests and the phase of the disease. Present data showed that the immunological factor should be considered a relevant element in most of the cases of Menière's disease.

C-Reactive Protein↗
PubMed2006

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: a novel clinical presentation of Burkholderia cepacia infection.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft-tissue infection characterized by progressive destruction of fascia and adipose tissue which may not involve the skin. Cervical necrotizing fascitis (CNF) is an uncommon clinical entity. The development of CNF is frequently related to synergistic infections of aerobic and anaerobic organisms of the upper aerodigestive tract. We describe the first case of CNF due to multi-drug resistant Burkholderia cepacia and Peptostreptococcus infection in an immuno-competent patient without cystic fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Oxidative stress, nitric oxide, endothelial dysfunction and tinnitus.

To assess whether pathogenic endothelial dysfunction is involved in acute idiopathic tinnitus we enrolled 44 patients and 25 healthy volunteers. In blood from the internal jugular vein and brachial vein we determined malonaldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, myeloperoxidase, glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide, L-arginine and L-ornitine, thrombomodulin (TM) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity during tinnitus and asymptomatic period. Higher plasma concentrations of oxidative markers and L-arginine, and lower nitric oxide and L-ornitine levels were observed in jugular blood of patients with tinnitus, there being a significant difference between brachial and jugular veins. TM and vWF activity were significantly higher in patients' jugular blood than in brachial blood. Our results suggest oxidant, TM, vWF activity production are increased and nitric oxide production reduced in brain circulation reflux blood of patients with acute tinnitus. These conditions are able to cause a general cerebro-vascular endothelial dysfunction, which in turn induce a dysfunction of microcirculation in the inner ear.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Western blot immunoassay for HSP-70 antibodies in idiopathic tinnitus: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES: Our preliminary study investigated the role of nonspecific immunologic tests and immunoassay for heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) in supporting the possibility of an autoimmune inner ear process determining idiopathic tinnitus. METHODS: Thirty-six consecutive patients with idiopathic tinnitus without other otologic or autoimmune diseases and 20 healthy blood donor subjects underwent determinations of circulating immune complexes (CICs) and other nonspecific immunologic factors and immunoassay for HSP-70. RESULTS: The mean CIC values were 4.2 microg/mL in the tinnitus patients and 0.9 microg/mL in the control group (p = .012). Thirteen of the 36 tinnitus patients and none of the control group were HSP-70-positive. Ten of the 13 HSP-70-positive patients had CIC values higher than normal. In the tinnitus group, the mean CIC values were 6.9 microg/mL and 2.6 microg/mL in the HSP-70-positive and -negative subgroups, respectively (p = .024). CONCLUSIONS: It may be hypothesized that in a significant number of cases, idiopathic tinnitus could be induced by immune response to inner ear-specific HSP-70.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Evolution of audiometric pattern in Meniere's disease: long-term survey of 380 cases evaluated according to the 1995 guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Hearing loss in the early stages of Meniere's disease is characterized by a fluctuation in the audiometric pattern limited to the low frequencies, and then, during the disease's evolution, the hearing loss involves the medium and high frequencies. As far as the prevalence of different types of audiometric curves is concerned, there is no agreement among the various studies. The study of audiometric evolution in the course of the disease has been limited owing to the difficulties in following a relevant number of patients for a long period of time. The aim of the present study was to compare the auditory level and audiometric pattern evolution in a significant number of patients suffering from Meniere's disease who had undergone long-term follow-up (at least 10 years). METHODS: The study considered 380 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Meniere's disease. The audiometric data were collected at the onset of the disease and after 5 and 10 years. Four patterns were considered: peak, rising, falling, and flat. Audiometric evolution analysis in four stages, defined by the guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, was evaluated. RESULTS: At the onset, in 190 cases, the audiometric pattern was a peak curve, with fluctuation of the threshold in 68% of cases. The mean threshold shift for the 500 to 3000 Hz range was between 26 and 40 dB. After 5 years, a peak type (41.9%) or a flat type (42.9%) was observed; the pure-tone average (PTA) ranged between 26 and 40 dB in 47.9% and between 41 and 70 dB in 51.8% of cases. After 10 years, in most cases (57.9%), a flat curve was observed, and the PTA in 100% ranged between 41 and 70 dB. CONCLUSION: The most common audiometric pattern at the onset of the disease is the peak type; long-term transformation of the initial audiometric pattern into a flat curve has been confirmed. High-frequency involvement seemed to be related more to Meniere's disease duration than to the influence of aging on hearing loss.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Wolfram syndrome.

The Wolfram syndrome is a rare dysmorphogenetic disease of autosomic recessive hereditary nature. The pathogenesis of the disease is still not well known. It is characterised by the presence of diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness. Other anomalies, such as renal outflow tracts and multiple neurological disorders may develop later. In our case report the diabetes mellitus appeared at the age of 4; the hearing loss and renal disturbances at the age of 11; the optic atrophy at the age of 16. No signs of ataxia, diabetes insipidus and neurologic anomalies were found. The diagnosis of Wolfram syndrome is not always easy in the first stages of the disease. The suspect may come from the presence of a juvenile diabetes mellitus asssociated with optic atrophy. For the diagnosis a valid clue can be given from the results of some clinical tests such as the positivity of the visual evoked potentials and the retinogram reliefs and the exclusion of the autoimmune origin of the diabetes mellitus. Other signs such as the progressive sensorineural hearing loss, the presence of nystagmus and of urodynamic disturbances and renal complications makes the diagnosis of this syndrome easier.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Characteristics of tinnitus: investigation of over 1400 patients.

The data in the literature concerning tinnitus characteristics are few and contrasting. Almost all data were collected by means of questionnaires mailed to the subjects, without considering the type of tinnitus and the eventual association with other otologic symptoms. To collect, in a homogeneous way and directly from patients, personal and relevant tinnitus data, we adopted a protocol of study that allowed us to select all patients suffering from idiopathic tinnitus, to obtain a wide range of information concerning the symptoms, and to compare qualitative and quantitative tinnitus data referred by patients with those obtained through audiometry. The age at which tinnitus appears more frequently is between 40 and 50 years. No significant differences between males and females were observed. The percentage of those reporting noise exposure was low. In most cases, the duration of the tinnitus was less than 1 year and more than 5 years. Loudness matching values show a homogeneous distribution for levels between 0 and 12 dB and over 15 dB, without correspondence with the subjective judgement of tinnitus intensity. Frequencies resulting high are those between 0 and 1000 Hz and those at 8000 Hz. There is a correspondence between loudness level and masking level and between loudness level and residual inhibition. Data resulting in this study underline the importance of a global evaluation of patients suffering from tinnitus, including subjective data and tinnitus measurements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Rieger syndrome: case report.

Rieger syndrome is a dysembryogenetic disease in which labyrinthic damage can be associated with other genetic anomalies. The case presented here is of a patient who has bilateral dysgenesis of the iris, with bulbar atrophy and dyscoria. The patient does not present any malformation of the craniofacial structures, of the periumbilical skin, or of the skeletal bones. The case is, therefore, a variant of the Rieger syndrome labeled Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. The patient reported a progressive sensation of auricular fullness, and liminal audiometry revealed a sensorineural hearing loss. Computed tomography scanning of the temporal bone revealed a bilateral dysmorphism of the acoustic channels. The presence of a bilateral cochlcopathy in a patient suffering from the Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome could be the expression of a genetic "disorder." We cannot exclude the possibility also that this genetic anomaly is responsible for the bony dysmorphism of the inner ear channels shown by the computed tomography scan of the temporal bone.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A protocol of study for tinnitus in childhood.

The presence in childhood of tinnitus is still a neglected problem both in pediatric and otorhinolaryngological literature, even if it is not uncommon in the pediatric population. In fact its incidence ranges from 13 to 29% in children with normal hearing function and is reported in 59% of children with hearing loss. Even if a child does not mention the existence of tinnitus, nevertheless, it may cause difficulties in concentration and bring about behavioral problems such as irritation, nervousness and deterioration in the lingual capacity. It is recommended to perform standardized studies regarding pediatric tinnitus. First of all, an accurate medical history must be performed asking specifically about tinnitus. Then it is necessary to perform an audiological examination that includes the subjective description and the following audiometric tests, pure tone audiometry; tympanometry; and tinnitus measurements.

Audiometry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lidocaine intradermal injection--a new approach in tinnitus therapy: preliminary report.

The efficacy of lidocaine in controlling tinnitus is well documented. It can be administered intravenously or by transtympanic injection. The first method of delivery can produce cardiovascular and central nervous system adverse reactions. The transtympanic injection can bring about slight sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, vomiting, and taste disturbances. To improve on results obtained in persons with tinnitus, the vasoactive drug lidocaine was delivered by a novel intradermal route in 68 patients. The control group, which received intradermal saline injection, included 20 patients with tinnitus. As parameters of evaluation, the self-evaluation scale of subjective disturbance and tinnitus loudness were considered. Significant improvement in level of disturbance and tinnitus loudness was observed both in patients with tinnitus intensity less than 10 dB and in those with tinnitus intensity greater than 10 dB. No significant results were observed in the control group. Of particular interest was the complete absence of unpleasant complications with intradermal lidocaine.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of the apoptosis inhibitor protein Survivin in primary laryngeal carcinoma and cervical lymph node metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Survivin is the smallest mammalian member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins family. The aim of the present study was to determine survivin expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in neck lymph node metastases. The survivin value in predicting prognosis in laryngeal SCC was also investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Survivin expression was investigated in 37 laryngeal SCCs and in 12 cervical lymph node metastases. RESULTS: A nuclear reaction predominated in laryngeal SCCs. Survivin expression was significantly higher in pN+ laryngeal SCCs than in pN0 (p = 0.017). Survivin expression was higher in cervical lymph node metastases than in correspondent primary laryngeal SCCs (p = 0.002). Survivin expression in laryngeal SCCs that developed loco-regional recurrence was significantly higher than in laryngeal SCCs without recurrence of disease (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Nuclear expression of survivin should be studied as a hallmark of higher risk laryngeal SCCs to develop loco-regional recurrences. Higher survivin expression in pN+ laryngeal SCC may suggest elective neck dissection in clinically N0 patients with high survivin expression in primary SCC. The extremely high survivin expression in lymph node metastases may support the use of survivin in the diagnosis of lymph node micro-metastases.

Adult↗