Assessment of Vestibular Functoins
Two groups ◼ A) Clinical Tests ◼ B) Laboratory Test
Nystagmus ◼ Nystagmus is an important sign in evaluation of vestibular system. It is defined as involuntary ,rhythmical,oscillatory movement of eyes.It may be horizontal vertical ,rotatory.It has a slow and a fast component
Evaluation of vestibular function
Balance is a highly integrated network ◼ vestibular system -rotatory stimulation and linear acceleration Information ◼ proprioceptive system - information input from the feet, ankle, hip, and neck ◼ ocular system - visual perception of spatial orientation is supplied by the ◼ central nervous system - integrated these information and translated to fine motor movements
Static balance test ◼ Romberg test: useful in patients with an acute unilateral labyrinthine lesion ◼ Mann test: the patient stands heel to toe rather than with feet together ◼ Static posturography:
Dynamic balance test ◼ Dynamic posturography ◼ Co-ordination function test: ◼ Point nose test ◼ Alternative movement ◼ Finger point
Nystagmus ◼ Nystagmus ◼ Slow phase: hypoactivity ◼ Quick phase: hyperactivity ◼ Direction: quick movement of eye ◼ Plane: horizontal, rotary, vertical ◼ Degree: ◼ I: quick phase side ◼ II: quick phase side and look forward ◼ III: quick phase side, slow phase side and look forward
◼ Ocular dysmetria test: ◼ Brainstem, or cerebellum lesion ◼ Smooth purpsuit test: ◼ Brainstem or cerebellum lesion ◼ Optokinetic nystagmus ◼ Lesion in central never system ◼ Gaze nystagmus ◼ Lesion in central nerve system