[Cervical nystagmus and functional disorders of the cervical column]

Our experience concerning the necktorsion-nystagmus has convinced us that this type of nystagmus must be elicited via a proprioceptive mechanism. The course of the curve is very suggestive, as we can state that this nystagmus changes its direction every 3-4 seconds, following exactly the stimulating movement of the chair. Our investigations resulted in another very interesting statement. Examining also a group of normal subjects, we could state that more than 50% of them presented a necktorsion-nystagmus. In a group of patients with vertigo, we could elicit in nearly the same percentage a cervical nystagmus. A significant difference between the nystagmus observed in the normals and in the pathological cases, could not be deduced from our data, except that the pathological cases showed a little more intensive necktorsion-nystagmus. A functional examination of the mobility of the cervical spine showed a significant relationship between a movement restriction of CO-C1 and the presence of necktorsion-nystagmus. This proves also the nystagmus starts via a proprioceptive mechanism, interfering with the labyrinthine in-put at the vestibular nuclei. Without doubt, the necktorsion-nystagmus is not a direct expression of a vertebro-basilar insufficiency and is even not a true pathological sign. Its clinical value is to be re-evaluated.