The first eletrocnic Journal of Otolaryngology in the world
ISSN: 1809-9777

E-ISSN: 1809-4864

 
2094 

Year: 2017  Vol. 21   Num. 1  - Jan/Mar - (14º)
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1572529
Section: Original Article
 
Otoneurological Abnormalities in Patients with Friedreich's Ataxia
Author(s):
Bianca Simone Zeigelboim, Juliana Cristina Mesti, Vinicius Ribas Fonseca, João Henrique Faryniuk, Jair Mendes Marques, Rafaella Cardosa Cardoso, Hélio Afonso Ghizoni Teive
Key words:
spinocerebellar ataxias - ataxia - spinocerebellar degenerations
Abstract:

Introduction Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease and progressive by nature. It has autosomal recessive inheritance and early onset in most cases. Nystagmus and hearing loss (in some cases) make up some of the common symptoms seen in this disorder.

Objective The objective of this study is to examine vestibular disorders in patients with Friedreich ataxia.

Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study. We evaluated 30 patients with ages ranging from six to 72 years (mean age of 38.6 ( ±  14.7). The patients underwent the following procedures: anamnesis, ENT, and vestibular evaluations.

Results Clinically, the patients commonly had symptoms of incoordination of movement (66.7%), gait disturbances (56.7%), and dizziness (50%). In vestibular testing, alterations were predominantly evident under caloric testing (73.4%), gaze nystagmus testing (50.1%), rotational chair testing (36.7%), and optokinetic nystagmus testing (33.4%). The presence of alterations occurred under examination in 90% of subjects, with the majority occurring in those with central vestibular dysfunction (70% of the examinations).

Conclusion The most evident neurotological symptoms were incoordination of movement, gait disturbances, and dizziness. Alterations in vestibular examinations occurred in 90% of patients, mostly in the caloric test, with a predominance of deficient central vestibular system dysfunction.

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