Aims/hypothesis. The aim of the work was to evaluate the vestibular organ condition in children and young adults suffering from Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Methods. The group examined consisted of 95 children and young adults aged from 6 to 28 years with Type I diabetes diagnosed. The diabetic group was divided into subgroups according to duration of the disease, compensation of the disease, and presence and character of hypoglycaemic incidents, and presence of diabetic complications. The control group consisted of 44 healthy children and young adults aged 6 to 28 years. After collecting detailed medical history in each case an electronystagmographic test was performed using the computed two-canal electronystagmographer. Results. Within the diabetic group 6 patients complained about vertigo and balance disorders. Spontaneous nystagmus occurred in 10 cases, positional one in 21 cases. Impaired optokinesis occurred in 36 cases and impaired eye tracking test in 33 cases. In caloric tests there was partial canal paresis in 4 cases and directional preponderance in 7 cases. Conclusion/interpretation. Metabolic disturbances present in Type I diabetes cause disturbances in different parts of vestibular organ but mostly in its central part. Comparing disturbances in the vestibular organ with clinical and biochemical parameters characterising diabetes, the range of vestibular organ impairment in diabetes mellitus type 1 seems to depend mainly on the presence and character of hypoglycaemic incidents and the duration of the disease and to some extent on the compensation of diabetes. [Diabetologia (2002) 45:728-734]

No abstract

No abstract

Thyroid gland diseases resulting from an autoimmunological process may influence the hearing organ. The aim of this study was to assess peripheral and central parts of the hearing organ in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thirty children (mean age 14.9 years) with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were examined. Patients were euthyroid, and presented high blood concentration of antithyroperoxidase (ATPO) antibodies. Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and brain auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were performed. None of the patients had any complaints about hearing acuity; pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and DPOAEs were normal in all patients. There were considerable disturbances in auditory nerve and brainstem neural conduction in BAEPs. There was positive correlation between the blood concentration of ATPOA and the extent of the disturbances in the central part of the hearing organ. One should consider the possible presence of subclinical Hashimoto's encephalopathy affecting the central part of the auditory organ.

Most of salivary gland neoplasms are benign. Pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumor (93.3%) constituted the most common benign tumors, adenoid cystic carcinoma (24.5%) and adenocarcinoma (22.5%) were the most frequent malignant tumors. Malignant tumor patients were avereage 12.5 years older than benign tumors persons. More than 1/3 of submandibular gland and minor salivary glands neoplasms were malignant. An increase of malignant lesions was noted--from 13.8% to 17.7% of the total number of salivary gland neoplasms.

No abstract

Introduction: Proper development of postural control in children is connected with the maturation of the central nervous system, development of sensory organisation with appropriate use of proprioceptive, visual, vestibular information as well as reactions and postural strategy which allow the maintenance of balance in changeable environmental conditions. Developmental disturbances in this particular area is reflected in postural disfunctions and the assessment of these disfunctions and disturbances needs referring to normative values of the healthy population of children. Aim: Examination of postural control development in children aged 6–17 years. Material: 127 healthy children were tested (65 girls and 62 boys) aged 6–17 years. Method: Laryngological investigation, medical history interview, audiometry and tympanometry were conducted in all children. In the evaluation of postural control (mCTSIB-modified Clinical Test For The Sensory Interaction On Balance) a computer posturography system was used (Balance Master Neurocom). R esults: Further development of postural control was found in healthy children up to the age of 13 years of age. The development was not linear but showed transient characteristics with a faster development stage between the age of 6–7 and 8–9. Better postural control in girls, particularly the youngest, in comparison with boys was noticed. C onclusions: 1. The values of norm postural control in posturographic test mCTSIB in children aged 6–17 was established. In this test postural control development was completed in children before 13 year and it was not linear. 2. Due to gender differences it seems appropriate to use separate norms in order to evaluate the development of postural control in boys and girls.

No abstract