Vestibular schwannoma is a rare benign tumor arising from VIII cranial nerve. Its localisation into internal auditory canal and cerebello-pontine angle is the main reason for the relevant clinical implication of such disease. This book develops all the features regarding the vestibular schwannoma, starting from the biology of the tumor, passing to the clinical presentation and instrumental diagnostic pathway to make diagnosis and concluding with therapeutic options linked to several factors regarding tumor size, localisation, symptoms, patient characteristics and outcome. The chapters are divided into 3 sections: pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment. Advancements in microsurgical technique and radiosurgery, coupled with an increased understanding of the natural history of the disease, have made modern management of this tumor considerably more complex and the opinions are still divided between conservatism and definitive cure. The last section includes the rehabilitation after treatment of patients affected by vestibular schwannoma. The contributions to this book were done by several eminent expert authors in their field, and all references are up to date. This is a robust resource for residents, fellows, and early attending physicians, as well as mid- to later-career physicians who care for patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Hearing loss is one the commonest disabling diseases affecting populations of all ages worldwide. The impairment of hearing may be the cause of impaired language development in children, the cause of scholarly issues in adolescents, the cause of worsening of quality of life in the adults, and the cause of isolation of aged people. In this book, the authors present the hearing loss in all its facets, starting from the basis of pathophysiology and anatomy, passing through the clinical and instrumental diagnosis and, finally, describing the most important diseases causing hearing loss with reasonable treatment options. A section was dedicated to the imaging of the ear with about 100 original figures. The readers will find a complete classification of genetic hearing loss and all information related to congenital deafness as well. A wide section was reserved to the description and discussion of the most important pathology leading to hearing loss (Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, trauma and occupational hearing impairment, etc.). The treatment of hearing loss is continuously evolving with the progress of technology, and the authors gave a wide space to describe all treatment options available for the patients, providing all information useful to manage hearing disease correctly.

Vertigo and dizziness are two conditions whose prevalence throughout an individual's lifespan is estimated to range from 20% to 50% with a marked incidence regarding women. Starting from the frequency of these symptoms, the book explores different aspects of the otoneurology field and the vestibular diseases, from the anatomy of vestibular organs to the pharmacological, surgical and rehabilitative treatment of posterior labyrinth disorders. In particular, the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (VPPB), Meniere's disease and dizziness in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders and vertebral fractures are described. A focus on specific techniques to evaluate vestibular disorders is included and the video head impulse test (vHIT) and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) application are shown to study each part of the posterior part of the inner ear. A specific chapter is dedicated to the management of postural disorders in vestibular dysfunctions, from the postural evaluation to the many different protocols of vestibular rehabilitation. The principles of pharmacotherapy are described; medications to treat dizziness and vertigo can include anticholinergics, antihistamines, benzodiazepines and other drugs including antiemetics, sympathomimetic and calcium antagonists. Finally, the principles underlying the surgical strategies in the management of the vertiginous patients, furthermore a general description of the technical aspects of each procedure are provided to show indications, potentials, limits, and contraindications of vestibular surgery.

From World Health Organization data, the prevalence of hearing impairment among infants varies between 0.5 and 3.0 cases per thousand, but in children hospitalised in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and in those with other risk factors (ie: anatomically small for gestational age, craniofacial abnormalities, intrauterine infections, family history of hearing loss, ototoxic drugs, mechanical ventilation , etc.), the prevalence is 10-20 times greater. Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be defined as an intensive care unit for sick newborns who need specialised treatment. NICU combines equipment and advanced technology with medical staff specially trained in newborn care. The Joint Committee on Infants Hearing (JCIH) identified many risk factors in NICU infants like prolonged mechanical ventilation, asphyxia, low birth weight and ototoxic medication, and so it also considers intensive care as a whole a risk factor. The present book focuses its attention on this hearing loss risk factor, starting from risk factors and screening strategies, highlighting the various neonatal levels of care, focusing on the treatment of infants with neural tube defects and the future motor development of premature babies. This should be done until caregivers can get the attention of drug therapies used in the NICU.