Background: The detection of objective changes in the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in preadolescents
with complaint of dizziness is not easy to be registered. The Video Head Impulse Test
(VHIT) is an objective exam that quickly analyzes this subject in adults and could
be an alternative to this age group.
Objective: Verify the feasibility of performing the Video Head Impulse Test (VHIT) in preadolescents
with dizziness.
Methods: Preadolescents with dizziness crisis in the last thirty days were included in the
study. They should not have had cervical or visual diseases and must be collaborative
to the head movements during the exam. Audiometry was performed and might be normal.
Middle and outer otitis were excluded. Video Head Impulse signal were captured from
the eye with the best visual acuity. Stimulation was performed in three axes: 1) from
the right anterior semicircular canal to the left posterior one (RALP); 2) from the
left anterior semicircular canal to the right posterior one (LARP) and 3) from the
right lateral canal to the left one. At end, vestibulo-ocular gain could be measured
in each six semicircular canals. The sample consisted of three boys (3/5) and two
girls (2/5). Age ranged between 10 and 13 years. Mean was 11.4 years and median was
11 years.
Results: The analysis of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in every six semicircular canals could
be performed because it was possible to be obtained between seven and fifteen reliable
samples of signals for the five participants. None of then had any complaints during
or after the examination. The gain means of the right and left lateral semicircular
canal was 0.87. The gain mean of the right posterior semicircular canal was 0.90 and
0.95 for the left one. The gain mean of the right anterior semicircular canal was
0.93 and 1,09 for the left one. Gain was considered normal for two participants of
the sample, decreased gain was found in a single lateral semicircular canal for two
preadolescents and decreased gain was found in a single posterior semicircular canal
for another one.
Conclusions: In the current study, Video Head Impulse Test (VHIT) was safely applied and the vestibulo-ocular
signals obtained were reliable for the studied group with dizziness. The gain analysis
can help the physician in the propaedeutic of diseases that affect the semicircular
canals and the vestibular nerve of preadolescents.
