OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of nystagmus during attacks of vestibular migraine (VM), and to find a distinct clinical feature compared to other migraine and peripheral vestibular disorders. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review of 82 patients satisfied with VM criteria, which is formulated by the new Bárány Society. Spontaneous and positional nystagmus provoked by various head positions were examined with video-nystagmography in all patients. Bithermal caloric test and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test (cVEMP) were also performed. The direction and peak slow-phase velocity (SPV) of nystagmus, unilateral caloric weakness and interaural difference of cVEMP were analyzed. Control groups were lesion side in acute VN for nystagmus results and healthy side in the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of posterior semicircular canal for caloric and cVEMP results. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: During the acute attack, nystagmus was seen in 71.9% (59 of 82) of patients. Horizontal nystagmus was the predominant type. Peak SPV in VM patients was much slower than in the control group (2.37±1.73 °/sec vs. 17.05±12.69 °/sec, p<0.0001). There was no significant difference on the result of both caloric and cVEMP test, compared to those of control groups. CONCLUSION: Nystagmus with horizontal directions and low SPV was dominant form in the attack of VM. Close observation of nystagmus can be helpful to make a correct diagnosis and to understand the pathomechanism of vertigo in VM.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Caloric Tests ; Diagnosis ; Head ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Retrospective Studies ; Semicircular Canals ; Vertigo

OBJECTIVES: Direction-changing positional nystagmus (PN) was considered to indicate the presence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo involving lateral semicircular canal in most cases. We investigated the incidence of PN on the supine head-roll test and compared the characteristics of nystagmus in patients with vestibular neuritis (VN) and Meniere disease (MD). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients, who were diagnosed with unilateral VN or unilateral definite MD between September 2005 and November 2011, was conducted. Sixty-five VN patients and 65 MD patients were enrolled. Eye movements were recorded for 30–60 seconds at the positions of sitting, head roll to the right, and head roll to the left, and maximum slow-phase eye velocity was calculated. PN was classified as direction-fixed (paretic or recovery) and direction-changing (geotropic or apogeotropic). RESULTS: Spontaneous nystagmus was observed in 57 patients (87%, the slow-phase eye velocity of 7°/sec±5°/sec) with acute VN, 39 (60%, 2°/sec±1°/sec) with follow-up VN, and 32 (49%, 2°/sec±2°/sec) with MD. Direction-fixed PN was the most common type. Direction-fixed paretic type was most common in acute VN (80%) and follow-up VN (42%), and direction-fixed recovery type was most common in MD (31%). Paretic type was significantly more common in acute VN (80%) than in follow-up VN (42%) and MD (26%), and the recovery type was significantly more common in MD (31%) than in acute VN (3%) and follow-up VN (14%). Direction-changing PN was more common in MD (22%), followed by follow-up VN (14%) and acute VN (9%). CONCLUSION: Though direction-fixed paretic PN was most common in VN and MD patients, direction-changing PN could be observed in a few patients (9%–20%) with peripheral vestibular disorders regardless of the duration from the onset of dizziness, suggesting the presence of otolith-related dizziness.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Dizziness ; Eye Movements ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Meniere Disease ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Retrospective Studies ; Semicircular Canals ; Vestibular Neuronitis

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of positional vertigo. A canalolithiasis-type of BPPV involving the lateral semicircular canal (LSCC) shows a characteristic direction-changing positional nystagmus (DCPN) which beats towards the lower ear (geotropic) on turning the head to either side in a supine position. Because geotropic DCPN in LSCC canalolithiasis is transient with a latency of a few seconds, the diagnosis can be challenging if geotropic DCPN is persistent without latency. The concept of “light cupula” has been introduced to explain persistent geotropic DCPN, although the mechanism behind it requires further elucidation. In this review, we describe the characteristics of the nystagmic pattern in light cupula and discuss the current evidence for possible mechanisms explaining the phenomenon.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Diagnosis ; Ear ; Head ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Semicircular Canals ; Supine Position ; Vertigo

To investigate the changes of vedionystamography(VNG)in patients with posterior circulation ischemia vertigo(PCIV).Fifty patients who complained of vertigo and imbalance with PCI were selected as experimental group for testing of visual nystamography(VNG).Thirty normal subjects were chosen as control group.The result was analyzed.The results of VNG in PCIV group and the control group were compared.The abnormal ratio were as follows:(4%,0;>0.05)for Spontaneous nystagmus,(68%,10%;<0.01)for Saccade Test,(42.0%,6.7%;<0.01)for Tracking Test,(44%,0;<0.01)for Optokinetic Test,(78%,10%;<0.01)for Positional Test,respectively.The intensity of positional nystagmus in those patients was(4.12±3.46)°/s,which was much higher than that of the control group(<0.01).One or more abnormal findings for visual-oculomotor system examination were shown in 37 patients(74%).Both vestibular central and peripheral system can be involved in PCIV.VNG test has clinical significance in differential diagnosis and lesion location.The abnormal ratio of visual nystamography in PCIV group reaches 92%(46/50).These results suggest that VNG be used as an important accessory diagnostic tool for patients with PCIV.
Humans ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Vertigo ; diagnosis ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Vestibule, Labyrinth

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although traditionally regarded as spared, a range of oculomotor dysfunction has been recognized in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. ALS is nowadays considered as a neurodegenerative disorder of a third compartment comprising widespread areas of extra-motor brain including cerebellum. Our objective was to perform an observational study to examine for ocular motor dysfunction in patients with ALS and for any differences between bulbar-onset and spinal-onset patients. METHODS: Thirty two ALS patients (bulbar onset: 10, spinal onset: 22) underwent the standardized systemic evaluations using video-oculography. RESULTS: Oculomotor dysfunctions such as square wave jerks, saccadic dysmetria, abnormal cogwheeling smooth pursuits and head shaking and positional nystagmus of central origin have been observed in the ALS patients at a relatively early stage. Abnormal smooth pursuits and saccadic dysmetria were increased in the bulbar-onset compared to the spinal-onset (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These oculomotor abnormalities may be a marker of neuro-degeneration beyond motor neurons in ALS, especially in bulbar-onset disease. Future longitudinal studies of eye movement abnormalities have provided insights into the distribution and nature of the disease process.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* ; Brain ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Cerebellum ; Eye Movements ; Head ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Motor Neurons ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Observational Study ; Pursuit, Smooth

This case report describes a patient who developed positional vertigo after surgery for chronic otitis media on the right side. Canal wall up mastoidectomy was performed, and the stapes was moderately mobilized during removal of the inflammatory granulation tissues that were attached to it. Immediately after the surgery, positional vertigo developed. The patient showed weakly left-beating spontaneous nystagmus in a seated position. Examination of positional nystagmus revealed geotropic direction-changing positional nystagmus with a prolonged duration and weak intensity in a supine head-roll test, which may be caused by a change in inner ear fluids due to a disruption of inner ear membrane around the oval window or penetration of toxic materials into the labyrinth during surgery.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Ear, Inner ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Membranes ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Otitis Media ; Otitis ; Posture ; Stapes ; Vertigo

A 74-year-old man presented with positional vertigo and prandial dizziness and syncope. He had experienced episodes of frequent dizziness and loss of consciousness for several months. He underwent total gastrectomy with esophagojejunostomy and brown anastomosis 30 years ago. Thirteen years ago, subtotal colectomy with ileo-descending colostomy was done due to colon cancer. And he also had mitral valve replacement and maze operation due to severe mitral valve stenosis and atrial fibrillation. After cardiac operation, he has suffered from sudden dizziness with diaphoresis and chalky face, which usually occurs especially within 30 minutes from the onset of eating. Sometimes, this event was followed by several seconds of loss of consciousness, which caused recurrent events of falling. Neurological examination showed positional nystagmus compatible with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo arising from posterior semicircular canal of the right ear. The positional vertigo disappeared immediately after canalith repositioning maneuver. We tried to monitor vital signs and serum level of glucose during eating. Hyperglycemia (range, 210–466 mg/dL) was noted during eating, which was accompanied by postprandial and prandial hypotension, up to 60/40 mmHg. The patient was prescribed 100 mg of the alfa-glucosidase, acarbose to be taken half an hour before each meal. Eventually, the treatment with acarbose ameliorated the prandial dizziness and hypotension associated with hyperglycemia. Our patient suggests the acarbose could prevent postprandial dizziness and hypotension.
Acarbose ; Accidental Falls ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Colectomy ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colostomy ; Dizziness ; Ear ; Eating ; Gastrectomy ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypotension ; Meals ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Neurologic Examination ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Semicircular Canals ; Syncope ; Unconsciousness ; Vertigo ; Vital Signs

OBJECTIVES: Patients, who showed persistent geotropic-direction changing positional nystagmus (p-DCPN) tend to have different clinical manifestations from those who showed transient geotropic DCPN (t-DCPN). We investigated the clinical characteristics between p-DCPN and t-DCPN patients, and its recovery rate after canalith repositioning procedure (CRP). METHODS: Based on the duration of nystagmus, 117 geotropic DCPN patients were classified to 2 groups, p-DCPN and t-DCPN. Barbeque maneuver had been introduced towards the opposite direction of null plane for the p-DCPN patients, and to the opposite direction of stronger nystagmus for the t-DCPN patients. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients showed t-DCPN and 43 patients were classified to the p-DCPN cases. No p-DCPN patient showed prompt improvement after the 1st canalolith reposition therapy. Among the t-DCPN patients, 18 canal switch cases were found , but, there was no canal switch cases found among the p-DCPN The CRP has showed less effective for the p-DCPN patients than the t-DCPN patients (after the 1st CRP, 37 in 74 improved, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to its distinguishing clinical manifestation, p-DCPN may have different pathogenesis and clinical mechanisms from t-DCPN. And for the p-DCPN patients, the CRP seems not an efficient treatment compared to the t-DCPN patients. Further study with larger number of enrolled subjects is necessary.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Nystagmus, Physiologic

Case history of a 67-year-old man diagnosed with posterior benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with extremely long latencies after holding the Dix-Hallpike position for five minutes. Additional vestibular assessment indicated partial unilateral hypofunction. The patient had a history compatible with classic BPPV. This patient, however, did not have any positional nystagmus after doing standard positional testing. With extremely prolonged Dix-Hallpike testing (five minutes), the patient experienced nausea and vertigo. Concomitantly classic peripheral nystagmus was observed. After a total of seventeen treatments in a reposition chair a total relief of symptoms was obtained. The extremely long latencies observed in this patient were ascribed to otoconial adherence and/or otoconial size. This type of BPPV has not previously been described.
Aged ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Humans ; Nausea ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Semicircular Canals ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Diseases ; Vestibular Function Tests

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vestibular disorder. It is easily cured with canal repositioning maneuvers, but some patients are resistant to the repositioning maneuver and require surgical intervention. Labyrinthitis ossificans is the pathologic condition that fibrous tissue and new bone occupy the membranous labyrinthine space. It occurs as a sequela of inner ear inflammation resulting from diverse causes, mostly bacterial meningitis and otitis media. We describe here a 42-year-old female patient with refractory posterior semicircular canal (PSCC) BPPV and adhesive otitis media in same ear. Otoscopic examination revealed adhesive tympanic membrane without middle ear space and temporal bone computed tomography showed complete ossification of the labyrinth at the same side. We performed a canal wall down mastoidectomy and PSCC occlusion. The patient had complete resolution of paroxysmal vertigo and positional nystagmus, postoperatively.
Adhesives ; Adult ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Ear ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Labyrinthitis ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Nystagmus, Physiologic ; Otitis Media ; Semicircular Canals ; Temporal Bone ; Tympanic Membrane ; Vertigo