Neurotology: definitions and evidence-based therapies - Results of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology

Abstract Introduction: Neurotology is a rapidly expanding field of knowledge. The study of the vestibular system has advanced so much that even basic definitions, such as the meaning of vestibular symptoms, have only recently been standardized. Objective: To present a review of the main subjects of neurotology, including concepts, diagnosis and treatment of Neurotology, defining current scientific evidence to facilitate decision-making and to point out the most evidence-lacking areas to stimulate further new research. Methods: This text is the result of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology, which brought together the foremost Brazilian researchers in this area for a literature review. In all, there will be three review papers to be published. This first review will address definitions and therapies, the second one will address diagnostic tools, and the third will define the main diseases diagnoses. Each author performed a bibliographic search in the LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and MEDLINE databases on a given subject. The text was then submitted to the other Forum participants for a period of 30 days for analysis. A special chapter, on the definition of vestibular symptoms, was translated by an official translation service, and equally submitted to the other stages of the process. There was then a in-person meeting in which all the texts were orally presented, and there was a discussion among the participants to define a consensual text for each chapter. The consensual texts were then submitted to a final review by four professors of neurotology disciplines from three Brazilian universities and finally concluded. Based on the full text, available on the website of the Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Surgery, this summary version was written as a review article. Result: The text presents the official translation into Portuguese of the definition of vestibular symptoms proposed by the Bárány Society and brings together the main scientific evidence for each of the main existing therapies for neurotological diseases. Conclusion: This text rationally grouped the main topics of knowledge regarding the definitions and therapies of Neurotology, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach of neurotological patients based on scientific evidence and national experience, which should assist them in clinical decision-making, and show the most evidence-lacking topics to stimulate further study.

摘要 引言：神经耳科学（Neurotology）是一个快速发展的知识领域。前庭系统的研究进展迅猛，以至于诸如前庭症状定义这类基础概念，直至近期才实现标准化。
研究目的：本文旨在综述神经耳科学的核心主题，涵盖该领域的概念、诊断与治疗方法，明确当前的科学证据以辅助临床决策，并指出证据匮乏的研究方向，以推动后续新研究的开展。
研究方法：本文源自第一届巴西神经耳科学论坛，该论坛汇聚了巴西该领域的顶尖研究者开展文献综述工作。本次综述将分三篇论文发表：首篇聚焦定义与治疗方案，第二篇探讨诊断工具，第三篇则明确主要疾病的诊断标准。每位作者针对指定主题在LILACS、SciELO、PubMed及MEDLINE数据库中进行文献检索，随后将文稿提交给论坛其他参与者进行为期30天的审阅。其中关于前庭症状定义的专属章节，由官方翻译机构完成译制，并同样遵循上述流程进行审阅。随后召开线下会议，所有文稿均进行口头汇报，与会者展开讨论以形成各章节的共识文本。共识文本随后由来自巴西三所大学的四名神经耳科学学科教授进行最终审核，最终定稿。基于巴西耳鼻咽喉头颈外科学会（Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Surgery）官网发布的完整文稿，本文撰写为综述性质的精简版本。
研究结果：本文收录了由巴兰学会（Bárány Society）提出的前庭症状定义的官方葡萄牙语译文，并整合了神经耳科疾病现有主要治疗方案的核心科学证据。
研究结论：本文系统性梳理了神经耳科学在定义与治疗领域的核心知识，使读者能够基于科学证据与本国临床经验全面了解神经耳科患者的诊疗方案，助力临床决策制定，并明确了证据匮乏的研究主题，以推动后续相关研究的开展。