Comparison of Video Head Impulse Test and Caloric Reflex Test in advanced unilateral definite Menière's disease

Publication date: Available online 20 December 2017
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
Author(s): F. Rubin, F. Simon, B. Verillaud, P. Herman, R. Kania, C. Hautefort
AimsThere have been very few studies of the Video Head Impulse Test (VHIT) in patients with Menière's Disease (MD). Some reported 100% normal VHIT results, others not. These discrepancies may be due to differences in severity. The present study compared VHIT and caloric reflex test results in advanced unilateral definite MD.Material and methodA prospective study included 37 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 56±12 years. Mean hearing loss was 59±18dB HL; 12 patients were subject to Tumarkin's otolithic crises. Abnormal caloric reflex was defined as ≥20% deficit, and abnormal VHIT as presence of saccades or <0.64 gain in vertical semicircular canals and <0.78 in horizontal canals.ResultsAll patients had normal VHIT results, and 3 had normal caloric reflex; mean caloric reflex deficit was 45%.ConclusionThe present study is the only one to use the August 2015 updated definition of MD. The results showed that, outside of episodes of crisis, VHIT was normal during advanced unilateral definite MD, in contrast to abnormal caloric reflex. This feature could help distinguish MD from other inner ear diseases, and it would be interesting to try to confirm this hypothesis by studying MD patients.



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