Clinical Usefulness of Video Head Impulse Test-Comparison of Bithermal Caloric Test and Bedside Head Impulse Test / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Video head impulse test system (vHIT) is an easy-to-use test and there are numerous studies showing its efficacy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of vHIT as an initial test in determining vestibular hypofunction in patients with dizziness. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The study recruited 103 outpatients who visited our ear clinic with dizziness. We performed both bedside head impulse test (bHIT), vHIT and bithermal caloric tests for 103 patients. Both bHIT and vHIT were consecutively performed in each subject on the same day by the same examiner. RESULTS: The sensitivity of bHIT and vHIT was determined based on the bithermal caloric test results, which showed that vHIT was more sensitive than bHIT. There was a significant negative correlation between vHIT gain and canal paresis (p < 0.05). Results of some patients indicated dissociation between vHIT and caloric test. CONCLUSION: T here is a significant correlation between the results of vHIT and caloric test. Although vHIT does not replace the caloric test, it would be useful to evaluate the initial vestibular loss in patients with dizziness.