Utility of the rotation test in the topographic diagnosis of vestibular syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Vertigo involves the somato-sensory, visual and vestibular systems, so the evaluation of the patient with dizziness or instability must be thorough to achieve good treatment.

Objective: To describe the results of the rotation test with electronystagmographic analysis in the topographic diagnosis of vestibular lesions.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on 131 adult patients with vertigo, treated at the “Hermanos Ameijeiras” Clinical Surgical Hospital from 2016 to 2023. Variables: sex, age, personal pathological history, symptoms, results of the rotary test, frequency and speed of the slow component of nystagmus of both ears and labyrinthine weakness.

Results: Female sex in 64.9% of cases, most frequent ages over 60 years (32.1%) and 50-59 years (29.8%), personal pathological history and most significant symptoms: high blood pressure (17.4%), ototoxicity (8.3%), vertigo (100%), hearing loss (25.9%) and tinnitus (22.9%). In the rotational test, the frequency of delayed nystagmus in the right ear was 40.4% and the left ear was 39.2%, the speed of the slow component of the nystagmus decreased in 50.3% and of these, 32% were bilateral. Labyrinthine weakness in 22.9% of patients.

Conclusions: Female patients predominated in patients with vertigo and the frequency increased in older age groups. The results of the electronystagmographic variables of the rotation test showed a higher incidence of vestibular hypofunction, corresponding to peripheral lesions.