Video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT) and the Assessment of Horizontal Semicircular Canal Function

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (05) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristal M. Riska ◽  
Owen Murnane ◽  
Faith W. Akin ◽  
Courtney Hall
Keyword(s):  
Semicircular Canal ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Horizontal Semicircular Canal ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Qualitative Test

Background: Vestibular function (specifically, horizontal semicircular canal function) can be assessed across a broad frequency range using several different techniques. The head impulse test is a qualitative test of horizontal semicircular canal function that can be completed at bedside. Recently, a new instrument (video head impulse test [vHIT]) has been developed to provide an objective assessment to the clinical test. Questions persist regarding how this test may be used in the overall vestibular test battery. Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe vestibular test results (vHIT, rotational testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and balance and gait performance) in an individual with a 100% unilateral caloric weakness who was asymptomatic for dizziness, vertigo or imbalance. Data Collection and/or Analysis: Comprehensive assessment was completed to evaluate vestibular function. Caloric irrigations, rotary chair testing, vHIT, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were completed. Results: A 100% left-sided unilateral caloric weakness was observed in an asymptomatic individual. vHIT produced normal gain with covert saccades. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the clinical usefulness of vHIT as a diagnostic tool and indicator of vestibular compensation and functional status.

scholarly journals Skull Vibration-Induced Nystagmus Test in a Human Model of Horizontal Canal Plugging

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-312
Author(s):  
Georges Dumas ◽  
Christol Fabre ◽  
Anne Charpiot ◽  
Lea Fath ◽  
Hella Chaney-Vuong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semicircular Canal ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Human Model ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Slow Phase ◽  
Caloric Test ◽  
Horizontal Semicircular Canal ◽  
Horizontal Canal ◽  
Tertiary Referral Center

Background/Aim: the aim of this study was to assess the skull vibration-induced nystagmus test (SVINT) results and vestibular residual function after horizontal semicircular canal (HSCC) plugging. Methods: In this retrospective chart review performed in a tertiary referral center, 11 patients who underwent unilateral horizontal semicircular canal plugging (uHSCCP) for disabling Menière’s disease (MD) were included. The skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) slow-phase velocity (SPV) was compared with the results of the caloric test (CaT), video head impulse test (VHIT), and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) performed on the same day. Results: Overall, 10 patients had a strong SVIN beating toward the intact side (Horizontal SVIN-SPV: 8.8°/s ± 5.6°/s), 10 had a significant or severe ipsilateral CaT hypofunction, 10 had an ipsilateral horizontal VHIT gain impairment, and 3 had altered cVEMP on the operated side. Five had sensorineural hearing worsening. SVIN-positive results were correlated with CaT and horizontal VHIT (HVHIT) results (p < 0.05) but not with cVEMP. SVIN-SPV was correlated with CaT hypofunction in % (p < 0.05). Comparison of pre- and postoperative CaT % hypofunction showed a significant worsening (p = 0.028). Conclusion: SVINT results in a human model of horizontal canal plugging are well correlated with vestibular tests exploring horizontal canal function, but not with cVEMP. SVINT always showed a strong lesional nystagmus beating away from the lesion side. SVIN acts as a good marker of HSCC function. This surgical technique showed invasiveness regarding horizontal canal vestibular function.

Vestibular semicircular canal function as detected by video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) is essentially unchanged in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to healthy controls

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kim E. Hawkins ◽  
Elodie Chiarovano ◽  
Serene S. Paul ◽  
Ann M Burgess ◽  
Hamish G. MacDougall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Semicircular Canal ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Video Head Impulse Test ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
Vestibulo Ocular Reflex

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common multi-system neurodegenerative disorder with possible vestibular system dysfunction, but prior vestibular function test findings are equivocal. OBJECTIVE: To report and compare vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain as measured by the video head impulse test (vHIT) in participants with PD, including tremor dominant and postural instability/gait dysfunction phenotypes, with healthy controls (HC). METHODS: Forty participants with PD and 40 age- and gender-matched HC had their vestibular function assessed. Lateral and vertical semicircular canal VOR gains were measured with vHIT. VOR canal gains between PD participants and HC were compared with independent samples t-tests. Two distinct PD phenotypes were compared to HC using Tukey’s ANOVA. The relationship of VOR gain with PD duration, phenotype, severity and age were investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in vHIT VOR gain for lateral or vertical canals. There was no evidence of an effect of PD severity, phenotype or age on VOR gains in the PD group. CONCLUSION: The impulsive angular VOR pathways are not significantly affected by the pathophysiological changes associated with mild to moderate PD.

Vestibular function assessment of Susac syndrome patients by the video head impulse test and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 393-399
Author(s):  
Yahav Oron ◽  
Ophir Handzel ◽  
Zohar Habot-Wilner ◽  
Keren Regev ◽  
Arnon Karni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Video Head Impulse Test ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
Susac Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Susac syndrome (retino-cochleo-cerebral vasculopathy, SuS) is an autoimmune endotheliopathy characterized by the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions and sensorineural hearing loss. In contrast to data regarding auditory function, data measuring vestibular function is sparse and the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the video head impulse test (vHIT) can serve as a confirmatory assessment of vestibulocochlear dysfunction in cases of suspected SuS. METHODS: Seven patients diagnosed with SuS underwent pure tone audiometry, a word recognition test, cVEMPs and the vHIT. RESULTS: Five patients were diagnosed with definite SuS, and two with probable SuS. Two patients were asymptomatic for hearing loss or tinnitus, and no sensorineural hearing loss was detected by audiograms. Four patients complained of tinnitus, and three patients reported experiencing vertigo. Three patients had abnormal cVEMPs results. All seven patients’ vHIT results were normal, except for patient #2, who was one of the three who complained of vertigo. The calculated gain of her left anterior semicircular canal was 0.5, without saccades. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the results of the vHIT and cVEMPs among a group of patients with SuS. The results suggest that the vHIT should not be the only exam used to assess the function of the vestibular system of SuS patients.

scholarly journals Clinical Implication of Corrective Saccades in the Video Head Impulse Test for the Diagnosis of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Infarction

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gi-Sung Nam ◽  
Hyun-June Shin ◽  
Jin-Ju Kang ◽  
Na-Ri Lee ◽  
Sun-Young Oh
Keyword(s):  
Semicircular Canal ◽  
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Horizontal Semicircular Canal ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Corrective Saccades ◽  
The Mean

Objective: In the present study, we characterized the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and properties of corrective saccades (CS) in patients with posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) stroke and determined the best parameter to differentiate PICA stroke from benign peripheral vestibular neuritis (VN). In particular, we studied CS amplitude and asymmetry in video head impulse tests (vHITs) to discriminate these two less-studied disease conditions.Methods: The vHITs were performed within 1 week from symptom onset in patients with PICA stroke (n = 17), patients with VN (n = 17), and healthy subjects (HS, n = 17).Results: PICA stroke patients had bilaterally reduced VOR gains in the horizontal semicircular canal (HC) and the posterior semicircular canal (PC) compared with HSs. When compared with VN patients, PICA stroke patients showed preserved gains in the HC and anterior semicircular canal (AC) bilaterally (i.e., symmetric VOR gain). Similar to VOR gain, smaller but bilaterally symmetric CS in the HC and AC were observed in PICA stroke patients compared with VN patients; the mean amplitude of CS for the ipsilesional HC was reduced (p &lt; 0.001, Mann–Whitney U-test), but the mean amplitude of CS for the contralesional HC was increased (p &lt; 0.03, Mann–Whitney U-test) in PICA stroke compared with VN. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that CS amplitude asymmetry (CSs) and VOR gain asymmetry (Gs) of HC are excellent parameters to distinguish PICA stroke from VN.Conclusion: In the current study, we quantitatively investigated the VOR gain and CS using vHITs for three semicircular canals in PICA stroke and VN patients. In addition to VOR gain, quantitative assessments of CS using vHITs can provide sensitive and objective parameters to distinguish between peripheral and central vestibulopathies.

Vestibular function assessment of Susac syndrome patients by the video head impulse test and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yahav Oron ◽  
Ophir Handzel ◽  
Zohar Habot-Wilner ◽  
Keren Regev ◽  
Arnon Karni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Video Head Impulse Test ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
Susac Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Susac syndrome (retino-cochleo-cerebral vasculopathy, SuS) is an autoimmune endotheliopathy characterized by the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions and sensorineural hearing loss. In contrast to data regarding auditory function, data measuring vestibular function is sparse. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the video head impulse test (vHIT) can serve as a confirmatory assessment of vestibulocochlear dysfunction in cases of suspected SuS. METHODS: Seven patients diagnosed with SuS underwent pure tone audiometry, a word recognition test, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs), and the v-HIT. RESULTS: Five patients were diagnosed with definite SuS, and two with probable SuS. Two patients were asymptomatic for hearing loss or tinnitus, and no sensorineural hearing loss was detected by audiograms. Four patients complained of tinnitus, and three patients reported experiencing vertigo. Three patients had abnormal cVEMPs results. All seven patients’ vHIT results were normal, except for patient #2, who was one of the three who complained of vertigo. The calculated gain of her left anterior semicircular canal was 0.5, without saccades. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the results of the vHIT and cVEMPs among a group of patients with SuS. The results suggest that the vHIT should not be the only exam used to assess the function of the vestibular system of SuS patients.

The Effects of Cochlear Implantation on Vestibular Function

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P60-P60
Author(s):  
Thuy-Anh N. Melvin ◽  
Americo Migliaccio ◽  
John P Carey ◽  
Charles Coleman Della Santina
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implantation ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
Vestibular Hypofunction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vestibulo Ocular Reflex

Objective 1) Measure vestibular function before and after cochlear implantation (CI) using a battery of tests covering the full range of stimulus frequencies over which the normal angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes gaze. Methods Semicircular canal (SCC) function was assayed using head impulse test during 3-dimensional scleral search coil eye movement recordings (HIT), dynamic visual acuity during rapid head movements (DVA), head-shake nystagmus (HSN), and caloric electronystagmography (ENG). Saccular function was determined using vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP). Patient self-assessment via the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and clinical head impulse testing (cHIT) were also measured. Results One of 28 post-implanted ears (4%) suffered severe loss of vestibular function in all 3 SCCs. HSN revealed no change in 11 subjects. ENG revealed new hypofunction in 1 of 16 ears (6%). Passive DVA revealed no significant change for 16 implanted ears. VEMP revealed significant increase or disappearance in threshold in 5 of 16 ears (31%). DHI scores were variable and correlated poorly with objective tests. The cHIT performed by one otolaryngologist in 14 subjects exhibited 44% sensitivity and 94% specificity for detection of severe hypofunction confirmed via quantitative HIT. Conclusions CI carries a small but nontrivial risk of iatrogenic vestibular hypofunction in the implanted ear. For bilateral simultaneous-CI, the risk of bilateral vestibular hypofunction is ∼0.16%, comparable to the likelihood of meningitis. The cHIT was highly specific for vestibular hypofunction in this study, but likely depends heavily on the examiner's threshold for abnormal.

scholarly journals Nightly Hypoxia Does Not Seem to Lead to Otolith Dysfunction in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

2020 ◽  
pp. 014556132092212
Author(s):  
Richard Birk ◽  
Miriam Dietz ◽  
Jörg Ulrich Sommer ◽  
Boris A. Stuck ◽  
Karl Hörmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Oxygen Desaturation ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Apnea Hypopnea Index ◽  
Horizontal Semicircular Canal ◽  
Respiratory Parameters ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder, which is associated with recurrent oxygen desaturation during sleep. It has already been shown that nocturnal hypoxia may lead to cochlear dysfunction in patients with OSA. Less is known whether hypoxia during sleep also impacts vestibular function in those patients. Thus, the aim of the presented study was to assess a potential vestibulotoxic effect of nightly desaturations with hypoxia in patients with OSA by investigating a possible correlation between respiratory parameters and vestibular function tests. Methods: A total of 56 patients were included in the study and underwent a fully attended cardiorespiratory polysomnography (PSG). Vestibular function was assessed using video head impulse test to evaluate horizontal semicircular canal function and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) to measure otolith function. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and correlation analysis between selected PSG parameters and the results of vestibular testing was performed using Kendall τ coefficient. Results: A significant correlation between vestibular function and respiratory polysomnographic parameters could not be demonstrated in the study ( P > .05) but cVEMP and oVEMP results showed a trend toward a correlation with oxygen desaturation indices and apnea–hypopnea index. Additionally, otolith hypofunction was more prevalent in patients with hypertension as well as OSA. Conclusion: The results of our study show that there is no significant correlation between vestibular function and sleep apnea parameters, although otolith dysfunction might be more prevalent in patients with OSA and hypertension.

scholarly journals The resilience of the inner ear—vestibular and audiometric impact of transmastoid semicircular canal plugging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost J. A. Stultiens ◽  
Nils Guinand ◽  
Vincent Van Rompaey ◽  
Angélica Pérez Fornos ◽  
Henricus P. M. Kunst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semicircular Canal ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence ◽  
Caloric Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Certain cases of superior semicircular canal dehiscence or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can be treated by plugging of the affected semicircular canal. However, the extent of the impact on vestibular function and hearing during postoperative follow-up is not known. Objective To evaluate the evolution of vestibular function and hearing after plugging of a semicircular canal. Methods Six patients underwent testing before and 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months after plugging of the superior or posterior semicircular canal. Testing included caloric irrigation test, video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), cervical and ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs) and audiometry. Results Initially, ipsilateral caloric response decreased in all patients and vHIT vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain of each ipsilateral semicircular canal decreased in 4/6 patients. In 4/6 patients, postoperative caloric response recovered to > 60% of the preoperative value. In 5/6 patients, vHIT VOR gain was restored to > 85% of the preoperative value for both ipsilateral non-plugged semicircular canals. In the plugged semicircular canal, this gain decreased in 4/5 patients and recovered to > 50% of the preoperative value. Four patients preserved cervical and ocular VEMP responses. Bone conduction hearing deteriorated in 3/6 patients, but recovered within 6 months postoperatively, although one patient had a persistent loss of 15 dB at 8 kHz. Conclusion Plugging of a semicircular canal can affect both vestibular function and hearing. After initial deterioration, most patients show recovery during follow-up. However, a vestibular function loss or high-frequency hearing loss can persist. This stresses the importance of adequate counseling of patients considering plugging of a semicircular canal.

The Relationship Between Tests of Hearing and Vestibular Function and the Duration of Symptoms in Patients With Unilateral Ménière's Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1364-1374
Author(s):  
Dennell E. Benson ◽  
James H. McPherson ◽  
Neil T. Shepard ◽  
Devin L. McCaslin
Keyword(s):  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Meniere’S Disease ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Ménière’S Disease ◽  
Video Head Impulse Test ◽  
Menière's Disease ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Head Impulse ◽  
Ménière's Disease

Purpose Ménière's disease (MD) is a constellation of otologic symptoms that includes aural fullness, tinnitus, hearing loss, and episodic vertigo. Even though the criteria for diagnosing the disorder was set forth in 1972, the causes are still not well understood. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between tests of hearing and vestibular function and length of time patients diagnosed with unilateral MD have experienced symptoms. Method The charts of 254 patients with definite unilateral MD from the Mayo Clinic database were retrospectively reviewed. In order to be included, patients must have reported active MD diagnosis within the previous 5 years. Main outcome measures were results for audiometry, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, caloric test findings, video head impulse test, and sinusoidal harmonic acceleration. Results Results indicate there is a significant effect of the duration of MD symptoms reported by the patient and findings on some tests of hearing and vestibular function. Specifically, pure-tone average, caloric paresis, and rotational chair phase were all positively correlated with duration of symptoms. Rotational chair gain was found to have an inverse relationship with time. We did not find that video head impulse test gain or certain vestibular evoked myogenic potential measures were significantly correlated with the reported duration of patient symptoms. Conclusions Our results suggest that, although the duration of symptoms reported by the patient does correlate with a number of vestibular and hearing tests, the relationships are relatively weak. The number of attacks and severity of symptoms should be investigated to determine if they are better predictors of laboratory testing results in the patient with MD.

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