Chronic suppurative otitis media, caloric testing, and rotational chair testing

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurotology
• Vestibular System

Background:

• Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) can affect vestibular function.
• Understanding vestibular abnormalities in CSOM is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of caloric weakness (CW) and rotational chair testing (ROT) abnormalities in patients with CSOM.
• To correlate caloric test results with ROT findings in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five patients with CSOM undergoing tympanomastoid surgery were evaluated.
• Caloric testing and ROT were performed to assess vestibular function.
• Abnormalities were defined as caloric weakness, reduced gain, abnormal phase, or asymmetry.

Main Results:

• A high incidence of vestibular abnormalities was observed: 76% showed CW and 72% showed ROT abnormalities.
• Caloric weakness (CW) was 80% accurate in predicting ROT abnormalities.
• Symptoms of dizziness/vertigo were less accurate (48%) in predicting vestibular test abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Vestibular abnormalities, particularly CW, are common in CSOM patients.
• Caloric testing results correlate well with ROT findings, suggesting validity even with potential testing limitations.
• ROT corroborates CW findings, reinforcing their clinical significance in CSOM.