Surangi Mendis, Consultant in Audiovestibular Medicine, UCLH, London, UK: The British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians (BAAP) hosted two mid-year symposiums this autumn. The first took place on 29 September 2023, via a virtual platform, and was on the theme of third mobile window syndromes. The event was organised by the Chair of the BAAP education committee, Professor Soumit Dasgupta. An international panel of speakers joined the delegates to discuss all aspects of dehiscence and third window pathologies.
The day commenced with Professor Marco Mandala, Head of Otolaryngology at the University of Siena, Italy, discussing pathophysiology, followed by talks relating to diagnosis and presentation in the paediatric population specifically. Speakers Arun Gadre and Ashley Wackym joined from the USA to discuss radiological presentation and surgical management respectively.
The symposium was very well received and stimulated interesting discussions in these areas, particularly related to the presentation and management in audiovestibular clinics.
Jawad Abdulla, Specialist Registrar in Audiovestibular Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK: The second meeting, on 20 October 2023, was the 65th Annual Hallpike Symposium, which focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the vestibular system. The event was organised by Dr Rosa Crunkhorn and Dr Carolyn Ainsworth, Consultant Audiovestibular Physicians at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. It was a hybrid meeting with attendees joining online and face-to-face at the Gordon Museum of Pathology, the largest medical museum in the UK, which contains displays of historic collections, including unique anatomical specimens, models and tumour paintings.
Talks covered the basic sciences, clinical applications and medicolegal issues relating to TBI and the vestibular system. Dr Barry Seemungal (Imperial College London) presented on vestibular dysfunction following TBI. Rebecca Smith (Imperial College London) gave a talk on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in the setting of TBI. Maggie Stacey (Institute for Sport, Exercise and Health) explained about vestibular assessment and treatment in concussion. Professor Soumit Dasgupta (Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust) talked about paediatric head injury and highlighted the effects on the vestibular system. Finally, Dr Peter Savundra (Portland Hospital) discussed the medicolegal aspects of head injury for the audiovestibular physician.
The symposium was a promising glimpse into the future of TBI vestibular research which will hopefully translate into more timely treatments and facilitate optimal patient care. It demonstrated the holistic approach required in the management of audiovestibular conditions following TBI. I particularly appreciated the networking opportunities offered by face-to-face attendance in an unusual but highly stimulating venue.
