The vestibular autorotation test in whiplash injuries

Authors

Prof. Dr. Antonio Cesarani (Milan, Italy)
Dr. med. Dario Alpini (Milan, Italy)
Dr. med. G. Raponi (Milan, Italy)
Dr. med. G. Sambataro (Milan, Italy)
Dr. med A. Scotti (Milan, Italy)
Dr. med. C. Albanese (Milan, Italy)

Proceedings

XXVIII Congress of the NES - Alghero - Italy

Topics

Neurootology
Equilibrium
Diseases
Neurootology
Equilibrium
Equilibriometric tests
Neurootology
Equilibrium
Neurootology

Keywords

Ménière's disease, Vestibular autorotation test, Vestibular function, Vestibulo-ocular reflex, Whiplash Injury.

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Abstract

THE FUNCTION OF THE VESTIBULO-OCULAR REFLEX (VOR) IS TO STABILIZE VISUAL IMAGES ON THE RETINA DURING HEAD MOVEMENTS, THEREBY ENSURING MAXIMAL VISUAL ACUITY.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN RELIABLE AND QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ON VESTIBULAR FUNCTION USING A MOTORISED CHAIR, WITH THE SUBJECT’S HEAD AND BODY FIXED.

SUCH TESTING OF THE VOR HAS ENTAILED LOW-FREQUENCY ROTATION STIMULI, USUALLY IN THE DARK (0.05 TO 0.10 HZ). THESE FREQUENCIES ARE BELOW THOSE PRESENT IN MOST ACTIVE AND PASSIVE HEAD MOVEMENTS IN EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES, WHICH CAN REACH VALUES UP TO AT LEAST 6 HZ..

A RECENT DEVELOPMENT IS CARACHTERISED BY BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE HIGH-FREQUENCY HEAD ROTATION TESTS:

ACTIVE VESTIBULAR AUTOROTATION TEST (VAT)
(ALSO NAMED HEAD ONLY ROTATION TEST)

VAT CONSISTS IN A RECORDING OF EYE MOVEMENTS DURING ACTIVE ROTATION OF THE HEAD AT DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES.

THE AIM OF THIS PRESENTATION IS TO SHOW HOW VAT CAN BE USEFUL IN WHIPLASH INJURIES DOCUMENTATION