Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
06:59
Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation
Published on: February 29, 2020
Sudden deafness and right-to-left shunts.
Yasuyuki Iguchi1, Kazumi Kimura, Kazuto Kobayashi
1Department of Stroke Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan. yigu@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
Cerebrovascular Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Right-to-left shunts (RLS) were significantly more common in patients with sudden deafness compared to controls. This suggests RLS may be a potential cause of sudden hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Idiopathic sudden deafness is a condition where the cause is unknown.
- Inner ear ischemia is a suspected cause of sudden deafness.
- Right-to-left shunts (RLS) are linked to cryptogenic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between right-to-left shunts (RLS) and sudden deafness.
- To determine if RLS is a potential etiological factor in sudden deafness.
Main Methods:
- Contrast saline transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was used to detect RLS.
- The study included 23 sudden deafness patients and 46 age- and gender-matched controls.
- Clinical characteristics and vascular risk factors were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Right-to-left shunts (RLS) were found in 48% of sudden deafness patients versus 17% of controls (p = 0.011).
- No significant differences in other clinical characteristics were observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Right-to-left shunts (RLS) may represent a potential underlying cause of idiopathic sudden deafness.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the role of RLS in sudden deafness.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings II: Auscultation
Auscultation, an essential part of a heart examination, is done using a stethoscope. It provides crucial information about heart function and possible heart problems. Due to heart problems, abnormal sounds can be heard during systole or diastole. These sounds include S3 and S4 gallops, opening snaps, systolic clicks, and murmurs.
Abnormal Heart Sounds
Gallops:
Abnormal Heart Sounds
Gallops:
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
01:20Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
01:22Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
01:15Heart Sounds
Heart sounds are generated by the turbulence in blood flow due to the closing of heart valves. These sounds are best perceived slightly away from the valves, where the blood flow disseminates the sound.
Auscultation is the process of listening to these internal body sounds using a stethoscope. The heart produces four types of sounds, but only two—S1 and S2—can usually be heard with a stethoscope.
S1, also known as the "lub" sound, is caused by the closure of atrioventricular (A-V) valves at the...
Auscultation is the process of listening to these internal body sounds using a stethoscope. The heart produces four types of sounds, but only two—S1 and S2—can usually be heard with a stethoscope.
S1, also known as the "lub" sound, is caused by the closure of atrioventricular (A-V) valves at the...