Sensitivity of caloric test and video head impulse as screening test for chronic vestibular complaints

Raquel Mezzalira,Roseli Saraiva Moreira Bittar,Marcia Maria Do Carmo Bilécki-Stipsky,Cibele Brugnera,Signe Schuster Grasel

doi:10.6061/clinics/2017(08)03

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:This study compared the results of the caloric test with those of the video head impulse test obtained during the same session and evaluated whether the former can be used to screen for non-acute vestibular dysfunction.METHODS:A total of 157 participants complaining of dizziness with vestibular characteristics of varying durations and clinical courses completed the caloric test and video head impulse test.RESULTS:Significantly more caloric test results than video head impulse test results were abnormal.CONCLUSIONS:The results of the caloric test and video head impulse test are distinct but complement each other. Within our sample, the caloric test was more sensitive for vestibular dysfunction. Therefore, the video head impulse test is not a suitable screening tool of the vestibular system in patients with chronic complaints.

Highlights

The caloric test (CT) is the most accepted method of evaluating peripheral vestibular function
The CT is the most commonly used vestibular function test in clinical practice, and our major objective was to compare these vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) gain results with those measured using the video head impulse test (vHIT) in patients with vestibular disorders
We questioned whether the vHIT could be used instead of the CT as a screening tool for vestibular dysfunction

Summary

Introduction

The caloric test (CT) is the most accepted method of evaluating peripheral vestibular function. When the vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) is normal, the patient is able to keep the eyes fixed on the target, and the eye movement shows the same angular velocity in the same plane and opposite direction as the head movement. When the compensating ocular movement is insufficient, a central command will launch a corrective saccade to bring the eye back to the target. When the corrective saccade occurs after the head movement has stopped, it is called an overt saccade.

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Results

Conclusion