Abstract:

Objective   To assess the function of vertical semicircular canal (VSCC) in patients with Meniere′s disease(MD)  and to analyze the relationship of the VSCC function and HSCC in MD. Methods   Sixty-six patients presenting with MD and 45 normal subjects were examined the VSCC function using the 180-degree vertical plane non-damping swing method with the developed automatic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) diagnosis and therapy system (SRM-Ⅳ). The course including the eye nystagmus orientation and the slow phase velocity（SPV） and other parameters were recorded with computers and videos. The vertical plane swing test was done in all subjects, calculating the average slow phase velocity of the vertical nystagmus and the canal paresis (CP) of the right anterior semicircular canal(SCC) -left posterior SCC plane(RALP) as well as the left anterior SCC-right posterior SCC plane(LARP). PC and SPSS17.0 software were used for statistical analysis. At the same time, all patients were examined the HSCC function with a caloric test. Results   ① Vertical nystagmus could be induced in 128 of 132 (96.97%) pairs in 66 MD patients while the CP range of the two pairs of VSCCs was 0.13%89.00%. 39 patients with MD had at least one pair of VSCCs CP≥20%. The average slow phase velocity(ASPV) of normal subjects was larger than that of patients with MD, and there was statistically significant difference in either LARP or RALP plane. ② CP of 180-degree vertical plane non-damping swing was consistent with caloric test in 63.64%. Conclusion   As supplement of the caloric test,180-degree vertical plane non-damping swing method may prove helpful in assessment of semicircular canal function.

Key words: Meniere′s diease; Semicircular canals; Vestibular function tests; Caloric test