Diagnostic Value of Gains and Corrective Saccades in Video Head Impulse Test in Vestibular Neuritis

Abstract

Objectives

We investigated changes in video head impulse test (vHIT) gains and corrective saccades (CSs) at the acute and follow-up stages of vestibular neuritis to assess the diagnostic value of vHIT.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Sixty-three patients with vestibular neuritis who underwent vHIT at an initial presentation and an approximately 1-month follow-up were included. vHIT gains, gain asymmetry (GA), peak velocities of CS, and interaural difference of CS (CSD) were analyzed.

Results

Mean vHIT gains increased significantly from the acute stage to the follow-up exam. The mean GA, peak velocities of CS, and CSD had decreased significantly at the follow-up. The incidence of CSs was also significantly decreased at the follow-up. The abnormal rate (87%) considering both gain and CS value was significantly higher than that (62%) considering vHIT gain only at the follow-up, although the abnormal rates did not differ at the acute stage (97% vs 87%).

Conclusion

The abnormal rates based on both vHIT gains and CS measurements are similar at the acute stage of VN but are considerably higher at the follow-up stage compared with the abnormal rates based on vHIT gains alone. It is thus advisable to check both CS and vHIT gain while performing vHIT to detect vestibular hypofunction.