title: Long-lasting deviation of the subjective visual horizontal after complete unilateral vestibular deafferentation by subtotal resection of the temporal bone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined whether subjective visual horizontal (SVH) could be compensated in patients with complete loss of unilateral vestibular function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients comprised two men and three women who underwent subtotal resection of the unilateral temporal bone due to squamous cell carcinoma of the middle or external ear. Mean patient age was 63.2 years (range, 59-69 yr).
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were tested postoperatively (mean, 4 yr 5 mo after the surgery; range, 2 yr 9 mo to 8 yr 6 mo). The task for patients involved adjusting a laser projection bar four times to SVH in darkness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients displayed marked deviation of SVH toward the operated side-down. Mean deviation from four trials for each subject was 4.5, 2.9, 3.7, 3.0, and 3.4 degrees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Deviation of SVH in patients with definite unilateral vestibular deafferentation can be long term, lasting more than 2 years at least.
authors.affiliation: Services Agency Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. IZT01356@nifty.ne
authors.forename: Munetaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ushio
authors.forename: Toshihisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murofushi
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takai
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugasawa
authors.forename: Kimitaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaga
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*