O OBJETIVO: o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a eficácia da reabilitação vestibular personalizada (RVP) em diferentes quadros otoneurológicos. FORMA DE ESTUDO: clínico retrospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo que constou de uma descrição do programa de reabilitação vestibular de 37 pacientes, com idade entre 21 a 87 anos, vinte e seis do sexo feminino, onze do sexo masculino, com quadros otoneurológicos variados, atendidos no Ambulatório de Otoneurologia do Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, no período de 2002 a 2003. Estes foram submetidos à avaliação otoneurológica e depois de realizado o diagnóstico pelo otorrinolaringologista, encaminhados para a reabilitação vestibular, realizada semanalmente no ambulatório, e em casa diariamente. Cada paciente seguiu programas específicos de exercícios, considerando-se os achados ao exame vestibular, o quadro clínico e, principalmente, os sintomas apresentados. Os exercícios foram baseados em diferentes protocolos descritos na literatura. Foi realizada uma análise individual da evolução clínica e em conjunto, a fim de verificar a eficácia da RVP em diferentes quadros clínicos. CONCLUSÃO: Pudemos concluir que o programa de RVP mostrou-se um recurso terapêutico efetivo na diminuição e extinção dos sintomas e conseqüente melhora na qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores de diferentes quadros clínicos.

there are differences in the vestibular tests of healthy women when comparing their pre and postmenstrual periods.

Hormonal disorders in the menstrual cycle can affect labyrinthine fluid homeostasis, causing balance and hearing dysfunctions. Study Design: Clinical prospective. Aim: compare the results from vestibular tests in young women, in the premenstrual and postmenstrual periods. Materials and Methods: twenty women were selected with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years, who were not using any kind of contraceptive method for at least six months, and without vestibular or hearing complaints. The test was carried out in each subject before and after the menstrual period, respecting the limit of ten days before or after menstruation. Results: there was a statistically significant difference in the menstrual cycle phases only in the following vestibular tests: calibration, saccadic movements, PRPD and caloric-induced nystagmus. We also noticed that age; a regular menstrual cycle; hearing loss or dizziness cases in the family; and premenstrual symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, sleep disorders, anxiety, nausea and hyperacusis can interfere in the vestibular test. Conclusion: there are differences in the vestibular tests of healthy women when comparing their pre and postmenstrual periods.

Response inversion during warm air stimulation is the most controversial finding seen in caloric tests of individuals with tympanic membrane perforation. In such cases, very few studies explore the possible interferences found in the caloric test, bringing about controversies in the interpretation of test results. Aim: This paper aimed at analyzing warm air stimulation effects in individuals with tympanic membrane perforation in comparison with normal healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Prospective, non-randomized study in which 48 individuals without vestibular complaints were assessed, 33 had one tympanic membrane perforated and 15 had no ear drum alteration. Results: 39.39% of the individuals had response inversion found during the warm air test. In the absence of this phenomenon, nystagmus responses were symmetrical. Conclusion: Nystagmus responses to the caloric test in individuals with tympanic membrane perforation were similar to those from healthy controls, with the exception of the fact that they had inverted responses in the warm caloric test.