Lessons From Follow-Up Examinations in Patients With Vestibular Neuritis: How to Interpret Findings From Vestibular Function Tests at a Compensated Stage

The symmetry of primary and secondary optokinetic afternystagmus (OKAN I and OKAN II, respectively) was studied in 14 patients with vestibular neuritis, as well as in 50 normals. The patients were examined at onset of symptoms and at follow-up 3 and 12 months later. At onset, OKAN was found mainly to reflect the spontaneous nystagmus. Although the spontaneous nystagmus disappeared in all patients within 3 months, both OKAN I and OKAN II was asymmetric at the 3- and 12-month check-ups. OKAN beating toward the lesioned ear was weaker than the OKAN beating toward the healthy ear. Thus, the asymmetric vestibular function was reflected not only in the OKAN I, but also by an asymmetry in OKAN II. Between the 3- and 12-month check-ups, asymmetry in OKAN declined, even among those patients who showed no improvement in caloric response during that time. The decreasing asymmetry in OKAN with time after lesion was, however, related to the disappearance of a positional nystagmus. Hence, the results may be interpreted as suggesting OKAN not only to be affected by vestibular side-difference, but also to be modified by the process responsible for vestibular compensation following a peripheral vestibular lesion.

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VESTIBULAR FUNCTION TESTS

Key Topics in Otolaryngology ◽

10.3109/9780203450413-105 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 366-369

Keyword(s):

Vestibular Function ◽

Vestibular Function Tests ◽

Function Tests

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Does Intracochlear Implantation Jeopardize Vestibular Function?

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348949410300805 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 103 (8) ◽

pp. 609-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Patrick L. M. Huygen ◽

Paul Van Den Broek ◽

Lucas H. M. Mens ◽

Teun H. Spies ◽

Ronald J. C. Admiraal

Keyword(s):

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Vestibular Function ◽

Step Test ◽

Caloric Test ◽

Vestibular Function Tests ◽

Function Tests ◽

Reported Data

We present the results of the vestibular function tests of 35 patients who were selected for cochlear implantation. Vestibular function was evaluated with a caloric test and a velocity step test. The preimplant data were compared to those in previously reported series. Intracochlear implantation was performed in 25 patients. The vestibular complications encountered in this group are presented and discussed. Six patients had normal or residual (but substantial) vestibular function in the ear eligible for implantation. Vestibular function was preserved in 3 patients and was lost in 3 patients, in 1 case through an iatrogenic cause. We estimate the risk of losing vestibular function as a result of intracochlear implantation as between 50% and 60% on the basis of the present and previously reported data.

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