Pseudocaloric Nystagmus

Abstract

Testing of the caloric function of the labyrinth is often performed by irrigation with cold water. Attention is drawn to pseudocaloric nystagmus, an apparently normal caloric nystagmus, which may be provoked by irrigation with cold water in an ear with abolished vestibular function. It is recommended to perform caloric testing by irrigation with water at 30° and 44°C, but if the purpose is only to determine whether caloric reaction is preserved, the test should be performed with cold water in the prone or with warm water in the supine position.