Determining subjective visual vertical: dynamic versus static testing.
OBJECTIVE
Comparative evaluation of two tests that, as a visual reference, respectively use a static light source (static testing) and a dynamic one (dynamic testing) to analyze subjective visual vertical in patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Otolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery Division, Department of Medical-Surgical Specialization, University of Perugia, Italy.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction.


METHODS
Determination of subjective visual vertical 1 to 2 days (first test) after the onset of vertigo. Repetition of 8 to 10 days (second test) and 90 days (third test) after onset.


METHODS
Test sensitivity and specificity.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of the static test was 85.7, 73.3, and 59.5% during the first, second, and third test, respectively. The dynamic test showed a sensitivity of 91.3, 86.8, and 78.1%, respectively. Specificity was 100% for the static test and 96.7% for the dynamic test.


CONCLUSIONS
The dynamic test proved to be more useful in the weeks after the onset of dysfunction. Given the greater sensitivity of this test, the reduction in perception error time makes it more suitable for revealing false negatives that emerged when using the static test alone.
Faralli
Mario
M
Otolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery Division, Department of Medical-Surgical Specialization, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Ricci
Giampietro
G
Molini
Egisto
E
Longari
Fabrizio
F
Altissimi
Guido
G
Frenguelli
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D004424:Ear Canal; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*