[Vestibular disorders in patients with otosclerosis: prevalence, diagnostic and therapeutic options]

A total of 177 patients with otosclerosis were selected for this study. Vestibular disorders were diagnosed in 40 (22.6%) of them. The patients were allocated to 2 groups comprising 11 and 18 subjects respectively. Patients of group 1 were given surgical treatment during the current hospitalization. Patients of group 2 were treated by conservative therapy following stapedoplasty performed 1 year or more earlier. The study included analysis of vestibular symptoms and evaluation of clinical effectiveness of the combined treatment in the form of therapy with betahistine dihydrochloride (betaserk) during 2 months and a course of 10-12 sessions of game exercises at a stabilographic complex. The patients of both groups enjoyed reduced severity of subjective and objective vestibular symptoms and statistically significant improvement of the equilibrium function assessed from statokinesigrams. It is concluded that combined vestibuloadaptive therapy is an effective method of preparation for stapedoplasty and correction of postoperative complications.