The subjective visual vertical (SVV) evaluates the function of the utricle, which, in patients with Menière’s disease (MD), can be affected by endolymphatic hydrops. This study aimed to determine the SVV in MD patients during the chronic phase of illness compared to healthy participants. The second aim was to compare the SVV measurement tools: the analog bucket test, digital bucket test, and C-SVV© goggles. The SVV scores differed significantly between MD patients and the control group for the analog bucket test (p < 0.001) and the C-SVV^® goggles (p = 0.028), but no significance was shown when using the digital bucket test (p = 0.062). When comparing the analog bucket test and the C-SVV^® goggles applying the calculated threshold (1.125° in analog bucket test, 2.5° in C-SVV^® goggles), the bucket test showed higher accuracy (bucket test 73.84%, C-SVV^® goggles 69.23%). When examining the influence of betahistine on SVV scores, there were no statistically significant differences in both the analog bucket test and C-SVV© goggles. We conclude that SVV test can be used as an additional tool to evaluate utricle function during the chronic phase of MD and that the analog bucket test produces the most reliable results. The intake of betahistine does not influence the perception of SVV.

The differential involvement of the macrophage activation phenotypes (M1 vs. M2) has been linked to disease severity in various chronic inflammatory disorders. Pharmacologic manipulation of the M1/M2 macrophage polarization has shown therapeutic potential. Cholesteatoma is a destructive chronic middle ear disease with potentially life-threatening complications. The distribution of macrophage polarization phenotypes in middle ear cholesteatoma has not been described. In the present study, human cholesteatoma specimens acquired during tympanomastoidectomy were retrospectively retrieved and immunohistochemically characterized using a combination of antibodies labeling M1 macrophages (CD80), M2 macrophages (CD163), and total macrophages (CD68). The correlations between the immunohistochemical findings and clinical presentation were assessed. The findings revealed that cholesteatomas with more extensive ossicular erosion demonstrated a significantly higher number of M1 (CD80+) cells and a higher M1/M2 ratio than less invasive cholesteatomas (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05). The extent of ossicular erosion correlated significantly with the M1/M2 ratio (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.4, p < 0.05). Thus, the degree of ossicular erosion in human acquired cholesteatoma appears to be related to the M1/M2 macrophage polarization. The investigation of macrophage polarization and functions in various clinical presentations of middle ear cholesteatoma is of great interest since it may contribute to the development of pharmaceutical treatment approaches.

Die vestibulär evozierten myogenen Potenziale (VEMPs) dienen der Funktionsüberprüfung von Sacculus (cervikale VEMPs, cVEMPs) und Utriculus (okuläre VEMPs, oVEMPs). Durch akustische Stimulation werden Reflexbahnen aktiviert, die über die Otolithenorgane myogene Potenziale auslösen und über dem Musculus sternocleidomastoideus (MSCM) (cVEMPs) und dem M. obliquus inferior (oVEMPs) abgeleitet werden können. Publication Date: 14 April 2022 (online) © 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Die kalorische Prüfung dient als Standarduntersuchung zur seitengetrennten Bestimmung der Funktion der horizontalen Bogengänge des Bogengangapparates. Der horizontale Bogengang wird wie der obere Bogengang und der Utrikulus vom N. vestibularis superior nerval versorgt, während der posteriore Bogengang und der Sacculus vom N. vestibularis inferior innerviert werden. Dieser Beitrag soll die Funktionsweise und Beurteilung der Kalorik erläutern. Publication Date: 04 April 2022 (online) © 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Mit der konzentrischen Rotation auf dem Drehstuhl wird die Funktion der horizontalen Bogengänge untersucht. Damit diese in Drehrichtung ausgerichtet sind, wird der Kopf des/der sitzenden Proband*in um 30° nach unten geneigt. Die Untersuchung wird zunächst im Dunkeln (VNG-Brille mit geschlossenem Visier) durchgeführt. Article published online: 03 August 2022 © 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany