A total of 112 patients were included in the analysis: 50 received betahistine-dihydrochloride in a low dosage (16 mg tid, n=21, 24 mg, n=29) and 62 received 48 mg tid. Follow-up examination every 3 months showed that the number of attacks per month decreased in both groups over time. For instance, after 12 months the mean (median) number of attacks dropped from 7.6 (4.5) to 4.4 (2.0) (p<0.0001) in the low-dosage group, and from 8.8 (5.5) to 1.0 (0.0) (p<0.0001) in the high dosage group. The number of attacks after 12 months was significantly lower in the high dosage group than in the low dosage group (p(12M)=0.0002). The treatment was well tolerated in both groups.

No abstract

We have found that vision impairment influenced postural control, especially if acquired and not congenital. The somatosensory and vestibular systems serve as compensatory mechanisms, which is utilized most effectively by the congenitally blind.

Enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) can act as super-antigens and thus influence the course of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (NP). The aim of this study was to determine if antibiotic treatment administered after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for NP can positively influence the course of the disease compared to placebo. After ESS, 23 patients who tested positive, in a perioperative culture, for SA strains producing enterotoxins A-E and TSST-1, were randomized into two groups. Group A which in addition to standard treatment received oral anti-staphylococcal antibiotics for 3 weeks. Group B received a placebo. Both groups were compared preoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery using a symptom-specific score, an endoscopic score and the SNOT-22 quality of life questionnaire. Slightly better results were achieved in patients who received antibiotic therapy. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Regardless of post-operative treatment, approximately 30% of patients had a SA-negative culture 6 months after surgery.

Based on these results, 10-mg doses of 4-AP lead to a more pronounced decrease of the SPV of downbeat nystagmus than do equivalent doses of 3,4-DAP.