Pseudo Random Smooth Pursuit Test in Patients with Acoustic Neuroma

Abstract

We examined the pseudo random smooth pursuit test in patients with cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. Four different frequency combinations of sinusoids 0.15-0.35 Hz, 0.25-0.425 Hz, 0.3-0.7 Hz and 0.45-0.7 Hz were tested. Gain was calculated by comparing the smooth pursuit amplitude with stimulus after the supporting saccades had been removed. Phase was calculated by comparing maximum excursion of the eyes and stimulus. Gain was in the patients lower than in the controls in different frequency combinations, and the difference was statistically significant/highly significant in different frequency combinations. In the phase shift the differences were highly significant in the two higher frequency combinations and significant in the second frequency combination (0.25-0.425 Hz), while in the first frequency combination (0.15-0.35 Hz) the difference was not significant. The gain method was a somewhat better analyzing method than the phase shift method.

Key Words:

• pseudo random smooth pursuit test
• cerebellopontine angle tumors
• acoustic neuromas
• healthy controls