Benign Positional Vertigo Produces a Specific Pattern of Abnormalities with High Frequency Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Testing

• Published in: Ear, nose & throat journal Vol. 73; no. 10; pp. 768 - 771
• Main Authors: Corvera-Behar, Gonzalo, Corvera, Jorge, Hernandez, Luz M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.1994; Medquest Communications
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Ear, Inner - physiopathology; Ear, Inner - surgery; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Meniere Disease - physiopathology; Meniere Disease - surgery; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular - physiology; Space life sciences; Vestibular Nerve - physiopathology; Vestibular Nerve - surgery; Human; Electrodiagnosis; Pathophysiology; Internal ear disease; Vestibuloocular reflex; ENT disease; Exploration; Benign paroxysmal vertigo
• ISSN: 0145-5613; 1942-7522
• DOI: 10.1177/014556139407301008

The vestibulo-ocular reflex was studied at high frequencies of active head rotation (2 to 6 Hz) in twenty-three patients with benign positional vertigo (BPPV). Gain and phase measurements were obtained in the vertical and horizontal planes, and the results were compared to those of a control group consisting of 19 asymptomatic age-matched subjects. In the horizontal plane, the phase lead was significantly smaller in patients with BPPV as compared to controls (p < 0.01 at all frequencies). Vertical results did not differ from normals. These findings challenge "cupulolithiasis" as an explanation of the mechanism of BPPV's symptoms.