A head-tilt caloric test for evaluating the vertical semicircular canal function

Abstract

Conclusions: The caloric test with head-tilt can be used as a tool for assessing vertical canal function as an office procedure. Objective: Evaluation of vertical canal function. Patients and methods: We provoked caloric response by cold water in the vertiginous patients in supine position. During the culmination of the response we rotated the head 45° from the sagittal plane to place the posterior canal to earth-vertical. Thereafter we rotated the head 45° to the opposite direction to place the anterior canal to earth-vertical. The eye movements were recorded by two-dimensional electronystagmography. The data collected from the examination of 100 ears with normal caloric response in horizontal component were analyzed. Results: The down-beating vertical component intensified when the posterior canal was placed to earth-vertical. The up-beating vertical component intensified when the anterior canal was placed to earth-vertical. These findings suggested that the vertical canals were functioning.

• Vertical semicircular canal
• vertical nystagmus
• office procedure