A distributed computer system for hierarchical control of a clinical vestibular laboratory

A microcomputer system for clinical signal analysis of vestibular laboratory

A vestibular laboratory system was implemented for clinical testing and medical examination of patients with balance disorders. Programs for analysis of postural control and eye movements were made for a microcomputer. The microcomputer system can be used by a nurse without technical education. The system has now been used for two years at the laboratory.

Comparison of vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal screening tests

A comparison of a newly developed vestibulospinal screening test and two vestibulo-ocular screening tests (caloric and rotation) was performed on two groups of patients, one with Meniere's disease (MD) the other with benign paroxysmal positional nystagmus (BPPN) and vertigo. Vestibulospinal screening tests were slightly more sensitive (not statistically significant) than caloric tests for detection of a peripheral vestibular disorder. Caloric, rotation, and vestibulospinal screening tests were specific neither for MD nor BPPN groups. The caloric test false-positive rate for the involved ear was unacceptably high for the BPPN group. The rotation test false-positive rate was the highest of the three tests for both groups. The vestibulospinal test combined with either the caloric or the rotational tests increased the sensitivity for detection of a peripheral vestibular disturbance, particularly for the MD patients.