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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2021; 79(07): 571-578
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2020-0301
Article

Comparison of two systems for the video head impulse test (vHIT) for the lateral semicircular canal: description of results from normal and pathological subjects

Comparação de dois equipamentos para realização do teste de impulso cefálico por vídeo (vHIT): resultados em indivíduos normais e patológicos
Lilian Felipe 
1   Lamar University, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Beaumont TX, United States.
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ABSTRACT

Background: The video head impulse test (vHIT) is a recent technique for functional evaluation of semicircular canals (SSCs). The vHIT examines eye movements at high frequencies of stimulation and provides an objective assessment of the functioning of the high-frequency domain of the vestibular system. Objective: To describe the results from vHIT performed using two systems. Methods: All subjects were evaluated through an audiological and otoneurological battery of tests and were diagnosed as normal or abnormal by an otorhinolaryngologist. The results from two systems: 1. ICS Impulse (Otometrics/Natus, Denmark) and 2. EyeSeeCam (InterAcoustics, Denmark) were recorded. The same operator delivered every impulse to every subject. The head impulses were performed while the operator was standing behind the subject, using both hands on the top of the subject’s head, well away from the goggles strap and forehead skin. Two calibrations were completed in each system, prior to beginning the test. Results: Test parameters were recorded through both systems for healthy subjects with no history or complaint of any vestibular disorder (N = 12; M/F = 5/7; age 35.1 ± 13.5 y) and for pathological subjects with a diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral vestibular disorder (N = 15; M/F = 7/8; age 53.4 ± 16.7 y). Conclusions: The vHIT is an important tool for otoneurological complementary evaluation. Both systems are reliable for vestibular disorders. The EyeSeeCam seems to reject fewer data and provides more information to include in diagnostics. Because of the small sample, there is a need for further in-depth comparison of both systems.

RESUMO

Introdução: O Teste de Impulso Cefálico por Vídeo (vHIT) é uma técnica empregada para avaliação funcional dos canais semicirculares (CSCs). O vHIT examina o movimento dos olhos relativo ao movimento cefálico em altas frequências e oferece uma avaliação objetiva da função do sistema vestibular. Objetivo: Descrever os resultados do vHIT utilizando dois equipamentos distintos. Métodos: Todos os indivíduos foram avaliados por meio de uma bateria de exames audiológicos e otoneurológicos e diagnosticados como sem alteração ou com distúrbio vestibular por um médico otorrinolaringologista. Os resultados dos dois sistemas: 1. ICS Impulse (Otometrics/Natus, Dinamarca) e 2. EyeSeeCam (InterAcoustics, Dinamarca) foram registrados. O mesmo operador realizou todas as estimulações. O examinador se manteve atrás do indivíduo, com as duas mãos sobre o topo da cabeça do mesmo de forma a não tocar na máscara nem no elástico da mesma durante todo o registro. Antes de iniciar o teste, duas calibrações foram realizadas em cada sistema. Resultados: Indivíduos saudáveis sem história ou queixa de qualquer distúrbio vestibular (N = 12, M/F = 5/7, idade 35,1 ± 13,5 anos) e indivíduos com diagnóstico confirmado de distúrbio vestibular unilateral ou bilateral (N = 15, M/F = 7/8, idade 53,4 ± 16,7 anos) tiveram parâmetros de teste descritos em cada sistema. Conclusões: O vHIT é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação otoneurológica complementar. Ambos os equipamentos são confiáveis para avaliação dos distúrbios vestibulares. Em nossa opinião, o EyeSeeCam parece rejeitar menos dados e fornece mais informações para incluir no diagnóstico. Devido à pequena amostra, torna necessário uma comparação mais aprofundada de ambos os sistemas.

Keywords:

Diagnosis - Head Impulse Test - Postural Balance - Semicircular Canals - Vestibular Function Tests

Palavras-chave:

Diagnóstico - Teste de Impulso Cefálico - Equilíbrio Postural - Canais Semicirculares - Testes de Função Vestibular

Authors’s contributions:

LF - conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis , funding acquisition, investigation, methodology, project administration, writing-original draft.




Publication History

Received: 23 June 2020

Accepted: 26 October 2020

Article published online:
01 June 2023

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