Sound-induced vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) can be used to investigate saccular function, measured from the tonically contracted sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) in response to loud sound stimuli. The aim of the present study was to assess VEMPs in patients with vestibular migraine and to determine whether saccular function is affected by the disease. Furthermore, tests such as tilts of subjective visual vertical (SVV) and caloric testing were conducted to test whether deficits in the various tests are associated with each other. The amplitude and latency of VEMPs were measured from the SCM in 63 patients with vestibular migraine (median age 47 years; range 24-70 years) and compared with those of 63 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (median age 46 years; range 17-73 years). Of the 63 patients with vestibular migraine, 43 (68%) had reduced EMG-corrected VEMP amplitudes compared to the controls. Thus, the mean of the p13-n23 amplitudes of the vestibular migraine patients were 1.22 (SE +/-0.09) for the right and 1.21 (SE +/-0.09) for the left side, whereas the averaged amplitudes of the 63 healthy controls showed a mean of 1.79 (SE +/-0.09) on the right and of 1.76 (SE +/-0.09) on the left. No difference was seen in the latencies and there was no correlation between VEMP amplitudes, tilts of SVV and caloric testing. Our data on patients with vestibular migraine indicate that the VEMP amplitudes are significantly and bilaterally reduced compared to those of controls. This electrophysiological finding suggests that both peripheral vestibular structures, such as the saccule, but also central vestibular structures are affected. Thus, beside the brainstem, structures in the inner ear also seem to contribute to vertigo in vestibular migraine.

Patients with somatoform vertigo and dizziness (SVD) disorders often report instability of stance or gait and fear of falling. Posturographic measurements indeed indicated a pathological postural strategy. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational short-term intervention (PTI) using static posturography and psychometric examination. Seventeen SVD patients took part in the study. The effects of PTI on SVD were evaluated with quantitative static posturography. As primary endpoint a quotient characterizing the relation between horizontal and vertical sway was calculated (Q H/V), reflecting the individual postural strategy. Results of static posturography were compared to those of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (n = 28); baseline measurements were compared to results after PTI. The secondary endpoint was the participation-limiting consequences of SVD as measured by the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire (VHQ). Compared to the healthy volunteers, the patients with SVD showed a postural strategy characterized by stiffening-up that resulted in a significantly reduced body sway quotient before PTI (patients: Q H/V = 0.31 versus controls: Q H/V = 0.38; p = 0.022). After PTI the postural behavior normalized, and psychological distress was reduced. PTI therefore appears to modify pathological balance behaviour. The postural strategy of patients with SVD possibly results from anxious anticipatory cocontraction of the antigravity muscles.

Background:Patients with psychiatric dizziness often report subjective instability of stance and gait and fear of falls. They showed increased activity of their body sway in static posturography compared to normals (1, 2). Aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of a behavioural therapy by static posturography.Methods:14 patients with psychiatric dizziness were included in the prospective study on static posturography to quantify the postural sway (sway path) during upright stance under different conditions. the psychosomatic examination comprised of standardized interviews (SCID-Interview) and a psychometric examination battery (SCL-90, VSS, VHQ). Results of static posturography were compared to those of an age-matched control group (n=23), baseline measurements were compared to the results after behavioural short term intervention.Results:At baseline patients revealed significantly lower sway-path values in the anterior-posterior and lateral planes (p< 0.001 - p=0.042) but significantly elevated values in the vertical plane (p=0.015 - p=0.042). They had to be supported more often in the examination setting to prevent falls (p< 0.001). after the short term intervention therapy a normalization of sway path values was present, especially the increased vertical sway activity was reduced (p=0.028).Conclusion:Patients with psychiatric dizziness activate significantly more anti-gravity muscles which reflects a change in postural strategy with an increased “stiffness” and a consecutively higher rate of “falls”. the patient's conscious control of stance augments coactivation of anti-gravity muscles. This typical pattern of postural control could be normalized by a short term behavioural therapy.1. Krafczyk, 1999; 2. Querner, 2000.

and progesterone receptor status, HER2 and ki67 (cut-off of 20%), cancer subtypes were as follows: luminal A, 147 pts (58.6%); luminal B-HER2 pos, 23 pts (9.2%); luminal B-HER2 neg, 24 pts (9.6%); HER2 pos, 21 pts (8.4%); basal, 23 pts (9.2%), undetermined, 13 pts (5.2%). Four patients failed in the ipsilateral breast after a median time of 3.2 yrs (range: 1.7-5.7 yrs) for a 5-yr IBTR-free survival of 98.7+0.7%. No clear trends or associations were detected between IBTR and age, grading, tumor subtype, pT or pN stage. Four patients developed distant metastases and, of them, 2 died of disease. Five-yr DM-free survival is 98.1 + 0.1%. Five patients developed a contralateral breast cancer, 4 infiltrative and 1 ductal carcinoma in situ after a median time of 3.8 yrs (range: 0.8-6.7 yrs). Five-yr CBRT-free survival is 98.7 + 0.7%. Thirteen patients developed a second primary tumor (which was lethal in 3) and 3 additional patients died of intercurrent disease. Five-yr overall and progression free survival are 96.7 + 1.3 and 91.6 + 1.9%, respectively. Conclusion: We demonstrated remarkably high local control rates with an 11-fx schedule irrespective of known adverse predictive factors.