An evaluation of the head-shaking nystagmus test.
Head-shaking nystagmus can be observed in some patients with vestibular lesions. This nystagmus is transient and appears after 15 to 20 cycles of rapid head-shaking. Horizontal head-shaking may be associated with a low-amplitude reversal phase, which follows the primary response. Several previous studies using active head movement have indicated that head-shaking nystagmus is a sensitive indicator of vestibular loss. In this study, the head-shaking nystagmus test using passive head movement was evaluated in 115 patients and 17 control subjects, using three examiners. The data indicate that using passive head movement, the head-shaking nystagmus test is neither sensitive nor specific enough for use as a screening test for vestibular loss.
Burgio
D L
DL
Department of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201.
Blakley
B W
BW
Myers
S F
SF
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests