title: Vestibular function in carotid territory stroke patients.
abstract: Stroke patients may present otoneurological symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the vestibular function of subjects with a history of carotid territory stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  This historical cohort cross sectional study enrolled 40 patients; subjects answered the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, were interviewed and submitted to ENT examination and vectorelectronystagmography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mild saccadic movement anomalies were seen in 20 patients (50.0%); nine complained of imbalance and dizziness. Abnormal smooth pursuit gain was seen in 17 cases (42.5%); six subjects reported imbalance and one complained of dizziness. Abnormal directional preponderance during rotational nystagmus was seen in two cases (5.0%), who also reported imbalance. Three patients (7.5%) and two subjects (5.0%) were found to have abnormal labyrinthine predominance and abnormal nystagmus directional preponderance respectively; all five individuals reported imbalance. Ten of the 11 patients without complaints of disordered balance had altered saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements, while one had unaltered vestibular function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with a history of carotid territory stroke may suffer from dizziness or imbalance and present signs of compromised eye motility and vestibular function.
authors.affiliation: Paulista Medical School of the University of São Paulo (ENT), Brazil. annapaulapires@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Anna Paula Batista de Ávila
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.forename: Marcia Maiumi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fukujima
authors.forename: Fernando Freitas
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Ganança
authors.forename: Letícia de Moraes
authors.initials: Lde M
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: Maurício Malavasi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ganança
authors.forename: Heloisa Helena
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Caovilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests