Vestibulo-ocular compensation following unilateral vestibular deafferentation

Vestibulo-ocular compensation following vestibular deafferentation was investigated in 26 acoustic neuroma patients following tumor removal and in 5 Menière's disease patients following vestibular nerve section by using sinusoidal harmonic acceleration testing. All three test parameters (phase lead, gain, and asymmetry), when averaged, shifted significantly on the first postoperative test (average 0.4 months after operation). A marked progression in central compensation with gain returning to the range of normal control values was seen in the tests performed 1 to 6 months (average 2.6 months) postoperatively. However, phase lead and asymmetry (especially at 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 Hz) remained outside the range of normal control values, and all three parameters failed to return to their preoperative level even when tested at more than 12 months (average 20.2 months) after operation. This finding indicates that the deficits of the vestibulo-ocular reflex to head acceleration are of long duration if not permanent.