Open AccessElectronystagmography in the Diagnosis of Central Vertigo
Author(s) -
Mora Renzo,
Salami Angelo,
Salzano FrancescoAntonio,
Guastini Luca,
Dellepiane Massimo
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a245
Subject(s) - optokinetic reflex , electronystagmography , vertigo , medicine , audiology , nystagmus , vestibular system , surgery
Objective Determine the efficacy and applicability of electronystagmography (ENG) testing in the differential diagnosis between peripheral and central vertigo, through the visual‐vestibular interaction test, in patients with vertigo. Method Patients were submitted to ENG recording. Patients sat on a rotatory chair, which was placed in the middle of a rotary rotatory cylindrical chamber. The rotatory chamber was driven by a direct current engine, which turned it clockwise and counterclockwise, and its internal area was covered with 32 black vertical contrast. Results All patients underwent rotatory vestibular stimulation by Stop test (VOR), optokinetic stimulation (OKN), and contemporary rotatory vestibular and optokinetic stimulation (VVOR). Our experiences highlight as normal that subjects and/or patients affected by peripheral vertigo present a VVOR nystagmus homodirectional to optokinetic nystagmus; patients affected by central vertigo present a VVOR nystagmus homodirectional to vestibular‐ocular‐reflex (VOR). In healthy patients, VVOR nystagmus is always homodirectional to OKN and indicates the optokinetic system prevalence on VOR. Conclusion The presence of a VVOR nystagmus homodirectional to VOR indicates the absence of the optokinetic system prevalence due to a central nervous system (CNS) modification, and highlights a CNS disease. Our data highlight the role of ENG in the diagnosis between peripheral and central vertigo.