title: Vestibular evaluation using videonystagmography of chronic zinc deficient patients due to short bowel syndrome.
abstract: The presence of zinc in the auditory pathways and its probable participation in tinnitus and hearing loss are known facts, although there are no clinical trials and experimental studies showing the impact of hypozincemia in the vestibular system and zinc existence in the vestibular pathway, respectively.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study is an attempt to correlate hypozincemia and abnormal vestibular function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a clinical retrospective case study where nine patients suffering of chronic zinc deficiency had their serum zinc determined and were submitted to videonystagmography. Results were compared to a normal (control) group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All vestibular test parameters were altered when we compared experimental and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparison between groups shows significant differences in many aspects of the vestibular analysis and calls our attention towards a possible participation of zinc on the genesis of vestibular disorders.
authors: Núcleo de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço.
authors: Gustavo Duarte Paiva
authors: GD
authors: Ferreira
authors: Maria Cristina Lancia
authors: MC
authors: Cury
authors: José Antônio de
authors: JA
authors: Oliveira
authors: Alessandra Kerli
authors: AK
authors: Manfredi
authors: Hélio
authors: H
authors: Vannucchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014741:Video Recording; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc