Objective:To investigate the classification of head shaking nystagmus（HSN） and its clinical value in vestibular peripheral diseases. Methods:Clinical data of 198 patients with peripheral vestibular disorders presenting with HSN were retrospectively analyzed. Video Nystagmograph（VNG） was applied to detect spontaneous nystagmus（SN）, HSN, and Caloric Test（CT）. The intensity and direction of SN and HSN as well as the unilateral weakness（UW） and direction preponderance（DP） values in caloric test was analyzed in patients. Results:Among the 198 patients with vestibular peripheral disease, there were 105 males and 93 females, with an average age of（49.1±14.4） years （range: 14-87 years）. One hundred and thirty seven patients were diagnosed as Vestibular Neuritis（VN）, 12 as Meniere's Disease（MD）, 41 as sudden deafness（SD） and 8 as Hunt's syndrome accompanied by vertigo. Among them, there were 116 patients in the acute phase, including 68 cases（58.6%） with decreased HSN, 4 cases（3.4%） with increased HSN, 5 cases（4.3%） with biphasic HSN, 38 cases（32.8%） with unchanged HSN, and 1 case（0.9%） with perverted HSN. There were 82 cases in the non-acute phase, 51 cases（62.2%） with decreased HSN, 3 cases（3.6%） with increased HSN, 9 cases（11.0%） with biphasic HSN, and 19 cases（23.2%） with unchanged HSN. In biphasic HSN, the intensity of phase I nystagmus was usually greater than that of phase II, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.01）. There was no correlation between HSN type and course of disease or DP value. The intensity of HSN was negatively correlated with the course of disease（r=-0.320, P<0.001） and positively correlated with DP value（r=0.364, P<0.001）, respectively. The intensity of unchanged nystagmus and spontaneous nystagmus were（8.0±5.7） °/s and（8.5±6.4）°/s, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the intensity of nystagmus before and after shaking the head. Conclusion:HSN can be classified into five types and could be regarded as a potential SN within a specific frequency range （mid-frequency）. Similarly, SN could also be considered as a common sign of unilateral vestibular impairment at different frequencies. HSN intensity can reflect the dynamic process of vestibular compensation, and is valuable for assessing the frequency of damage in peripheral vestibular diseases and monitoring the progress of vestibular rehabilitation.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Nystagmus, Pathologic/diagnosis* ; Vertigo/diagnosis* ; Electronystagmography ; Vestibular Diseases/diagnosis*

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease of central nervous system characterized by relapsing attacks that target the optic nerves and spinal cord, as well as aquaporin-4 (AQP4) enriched periventricular brain regions. The area postrema (AP), located in the dorsal medulla, is the chemosensitive vomiting center and has high AQP-4 expression. The AP syndrome with unexplained hiccups, nausea, and vomiting is one of the core clinical characteristics in the NMOSD and maybe the first presenting symptom. We experienced a 25-year-old woman presented with intractable vomiting, dizziness and oscillopsia. Upbeat nystagmus detected on the bedside examination led to comprehensive neurological workups including magnetic resonance imaging, and she was diagnosed as the AP syndrome. Ten months later, she experienced a recurrence as a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and the diagnosis was finally compatible with NMOSD without AQP4-IgG. NMOSD, especially the AP syndrome, should be considered in any dizzy patient with intractable vomiting, and detailed neuro-otologic and neuro-ophthalmologic examinations are warranted for the correct diagnosis.
Adult ; Area Postrema ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Female ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelitis, Transverse ; Nausea ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Optic Nerve ; Recurrence ; Spinal Cord ; Vomiting

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

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 OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical correlation between perverted nystagmus and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormal findings and to evaluate whether perverted nystagmus is clinically significant results of brain abnormal lesions or not. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed medical charts review from January 2008 to July 2014, retrospectively. Patients who were suspected central originated vertigo at Frenzel goggles test were included among patients who visited our hospital. To investigate the correlation with nystagmus suspected central originated vertigo and brain MRI abnormal findings, we confirmed whether performing brain MRI or not. Then we exclude that patients not performed brain MRI. RESULTS: The number of patients with perverted nystagmus was 15, upbeating was 1 and down-beating was 14. Among these patients, 5 patients have brain MRI abnormal findings. However, 2 patients with MRI abnormal findings were not associated correctly with perverted nystagmus and only 3 patients with perverted nystagmus were considered central originated vertigo and further evaluation and treatment was performed by the department of neurology. CONCLUSIONS: Perverted nystagmus was considered to the abnormalities at brain lesions, especially cerebellum, but neurologic symptoms and further evaluation were needed for exact diagnosis of central originated vertigo.
Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Eye Protective Devices ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neurology ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course of congenital aniridia and to evaluate prognostic factors for visual outcome after long-term follow-up. METHODS: The medical records of 120 eyes from 60 patients with congenital aniridia were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence and clinical course of ophthalmic characteristics, systemic disease, refractive errors, and visual acuity were assessed. Prognostic factors for final visual outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Aniridic keratopathy developed in 82 (69%) of 119 eyes. Macular hypoplasia was observed in 70 eyes of 35 patients (91%). Cataract was observed in 63 of 120 eyes (53%). Nystagmus was present in 41 patients (68% of 60 patients) at the initial visit but decreased in five patients (8% of 60 patients). Ocular hypertension was detected in 19 eyes (20% of 93 eyes), six (32% of 19 eyes) of which developed secondarily after cataract surgery. The mean changes in spherical equivalent and astigmatism during the follow-up period were -1.10 and 1.53 diopter, respectively. The mean final visual acuity was 1.028 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution. Nystagmus and ocular hypertension were identified as prognostic factors for poor visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of nystagmus and ocular hypertension was important to predict final visual outcome. Based on the high rate of secondary ocular hypertension after cataract surgery, careful management is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aniridia/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Cataract/diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Corneal Diseases/diagnosis ; Eye Abnormalities/diagnosis ; Eye Diseases/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Nystagmus, Pathologic/diagnosis ; Ocular Hypertension/diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Retina/abnormalities ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity/*physiology ; Young Adult

Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electroencephalography ; Electroretinography ; Eye Movements ; Head Movements ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Retinal Diseases ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Spasms, Infantile ; diagnosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Torticollis ; etiology ; physiopathology

As the infrared image gray distribution of nystagmus video is uneven, the accuracy of pupil edge detection could not be high enough. A pupil location method based on morphology and Canny algorithm was presented in this paper. Some meaningless regions were removed by morphology, and target was smoothed. The connected regions were separated, and the largest connected region-pupil was found. Then the pupil edges were extracted by the designed Canny edge detection algorithm. The coordinates of pupil for each frame images were calculated and the pupil movement tracking was fitted. Finally, desired clinical diagnostic information would be obtained from the tracking. Experimental results showed that the method could be adapted to different gray values for different objects, and could accurately detect the edge of the pupil. As the pupil was tracked well, the experimental results could reflect the eye movement. The method provides a practical way for the pupil location of existing domestic researches in video-nystagmograph.
Algorithms ; Electronystagmography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Eye Movements ; physiology ; Humans ; Infrared Rays ; Iris ; anatomy & histology ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; diagnosis ; Videotape Recording

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic effect of various types of BPPV. METHOD: Three hundred and eighteen BPPV patients were retrospectively analyzed. After the types of BPPV were determined by nystagmus characteristics provoked by positioning test, the appropriate repositioning maneuvers were performed. For patients unresponsive to initial treatment, a repetitive treatment was given after seven days. If patients failed after three continuous treatments, other therapeutic methods were chosen and performed. Overall effectiveness in the next three months after treatment was observed. RESULT: Of 318 patients, 221 (69.5%) with posterior semicircular canal involvement, Epley repositioning maneuver was performed; 62 (19.5%) with horizontal semicircular canal involvement, Barbecue maneuver combined forced prolonged position maneuver were applied; 23 (7.2%) with anterior canal involvement were treated with Epley maneuver; 12 (3.8%) had the mixed type and were treated with corresponding repositioning maneuvers. After one week the total improvement rate was 82.1% (261/318) and 91.8% three months later (292/318). CONCLUSION The different BPPV variants can be diagnosed according to the nystagmus characteristics during the appropriate provoking maneuvers, and appropriate repositioning maneuvers is a very effective method which can shorten disease period and relieve the symptoms. The method is easy to apply and could be widely performed clinically.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the result of smooth pursuit test (SPT) in unilateral vestibular peripheral vertigo and investigate its influencing factors. METHOD: Smooth pursuit test (SPT) and spontaneous nystagmus (SN) were examined in one hundred and eighty-five patients with unilateral peripheral vertigo (case group) and 51 normal persons (control group) by Video-Nystagmography (Synapsis, France), and the gain of SPT and SN were selected as the observation parameters in order to analyze the waveform and gain of SPT and the relativity between SN and the gain of SPT. RESULT: Of the 185 patients, 105 (56.8%), 72 (38.9%) and 8 (4.3%) cases produced I , II and III waveforms respectively. Of these patients, 58 (31.4%) demonstrated SN and none had IV waveform. While of 51 normal persons, 38 (74.5%), 13 (25.5%) persons produced I and II waveforms respectively and there were no III, IV waveforms or SN. There was statistical significance between the strong and weak gain of SPT in these two groups. Weak gain was significantly different between two groups. The strong and weak gain of SPT in case group were 0.86 +/- 0.06, 0.80 +/- 0.06; 0.78 +/- 0.09, 0.65 +/- 0.1; 0.68 +/- 0.13, 0.45 +/- 0.12. The relativity between SN and the gain of SPT was positive when they had same direction (r(s) = -0.63, P<0.05) and negative when opposite (r(s) = 0.34, P<0.05). CONCLUSION I , II, III three waveforms of SPT could appear in unilateral vestibular peripheral vertigo and the corresponding gains are gradually decreasing. SN is the influencing factor of SPT.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Pursuit, Smooth ; Vertigo ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Young Adult