PURPOSE: to analyze the effect of air caloric stimulation at 10ºC on the post-caloric responses in patients with chronic peripheral dysfunction who presented spontaneous nystagmus with the eyes closed. METHODS: 61 patients with spontaneous nystagmus with closed eyes were submitted to air caloric stimulation under the following temperatures: 42, 18 and 10ºC. RESULTS: in 42 patients (69.8%), abnormal values of directional preponderance and / or unilateral hypoexcitability were observed following the 42ºC and 18ºC stimulations. For the 10ºC stimulations an asymmetry within normal limits was seen in 52.5% of the patients, while abnormal values were seen in 16.4% (p=0.012). Unilateral hypoexcitability was confirmed in 11.5% of the cases. In 8.2% of the patients there were abnormal findings not evidenced under 42ºC and 18ºC stimulations. CONCLUSION: in patients with chronic peripheral labyrinthine disorders who show spontaneous nystagmus with closed eyes, the 10ºC caloric test makes it possible to remove the influence of the spontaneous nystagmus on the post-caloric responses.
Electronystagmography; Nystagmus; Vertigo
