title: Evaluation of vestibulo-ocular reflex in patients with damage to the central nervous system (GCS score 5-3).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in patients with severe damage to the central nervous system (CNS) in the diagnosis of brain death and survival prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in 20 patients with extensive primary central nervous system damage against spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage or craniocerebral trauma and secondary central nervous system damage as a result of cardiac arrest with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score from 3 to 5 treated in the Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital in Bialystok. For labyrinth stimulation we used water at 30°C, recording the reactions with ENG appliance. Records were analyzed in Nathanson-Bergman four-level scale. The first assessment was performed on the second day after the trauma and subsequently the assessments were repeated at 2-day intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 20 patients studied, the reflex was recorded in nine, which accounted for 45%. In the remaining 11 (55%) patients the reflex was not reported in any test and all of them died. Among patients with recorded VOR, five died and four survived.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study show the usefulness of performing the vestibulo-ocular test in patients with severe brain injury to predict their survival.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors: Ireneusz
authors: I
authors: Rzewnicki
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors: Wojciech
authors: W
authors: Łebkowski
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Hospital, Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: ksawerykordecki@gmail.com.
authors: Justyn Ksawery
authors: JK
authors: Kordecki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: CNS; GCS score; Vestibulo-ocular reflex