[Electronystagmographic esaminations of caloric latency (author's transl)]

The initial phase of caloric nystagmus has been investigated. The nystagmussignal does not start in a really discrete manner. It shows a development from eye movements which are no clear cut sawtooth signals to the real nystagmus beats with easily detectable slow and fast phases. 601 ENGs of caloric tests have statistically been evaluated during the first 80 sec from the onset of the irrigation. In 68% of all of the reactions there was an underlying spontaneous nystagmus. A same directional spontaneous nystagmus covers the latency period mostly that much, that the latency period is short or hidden. An opposite directional spontaneous nystagmus leads to a prolongation of the latency period. This definition refers to the real saw tooth nystagmus signals, which are beating in the expected direction. A definition of the latency period after the so called initial nystagmoids is being discussed, too.