[Clinical research of vestibular autorotation test for patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the diagnostic values of vestibular autorotation test (VAT) for patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).


METHODS
VAT and videonystagmography ( VNG) were performed on 73 patients with VBI and 48 patients with peripheral vestibular lesions (contrast group). Parameters analyzed included Gain, phase and asymmetry of VAT, as well as the canal paresis (CP) of caloric test and results of optokinetic-pursuit tests in VNG. Positive result of the test could be defined if anyone of the parameters was abnormal.


RESULTS
For VAT test, Gain was enhanced in VBI group and was reduced in contrast group. In VBI group and contrast group, Gain enhanced showed in 47 (64.4%) cases and 5 (10.4%) cases, respectively (chi2 = 31.19, P < 0.01). Simultaneity, Gain reduced in 11 cases (15.5%) and 22 cases (45.8%), respectively (chi2 = 13.82, P < 0.01). But there was no statistics significant for results of the parameters of phase, asymmetry and integration between two groups. For VNG test, results with optokinetic-pursuit tests were more abnormal in VBI group than that in contrast group, which showed central lesions characteristics. Forty-four cases (60.3%) in VBI group and 10 cases (20.8%) in control group showed central lesions results with optokinetic-pursuit tests and visual fixation test (chi2 = 15.89, P < 0.01). Unilateral or bilateral CP showed in 33 cases (68.6%) in control group and 51 cases (69.9%) in VBI group with caloric test.


CONCLUSIONS
Gain of VAT is mostly enhanced in VBI group, and Gain as a main characteristic is reduced in patients with peripheral vestibular lesions. The Gain parameter is availability for assessing characteristics of vestibular lesions. Phase and asymmetry can be used to assess the vestibular function but can not indicate the characteristics of vestibular lesions.
Chen
Tai-sheng
TS
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China. cts501@sina.com
Wang
Wen-hong
WH
Song
Wei
W
Lu
Hong-hua
HH
Zuo
Xian-hua
XH
Zhang
Jin-mei
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult