Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Three Dimensional Vestibular Ocular Reflex Testing Using a Six Degrees of Freedom Motion Platform
Published on: May 23, 2013
Spontaneous nystagmus in horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Eun Jin Son1, Hye Jin Lim, Yun-Hoon Choung
1Department of Otolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Objective:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of horizontal semicircular canal (HSC-BPPV) is characterized by either geotropic or apogeotropic nystagmus induced by head roll test. Some patients also present with spontaneous nystagmus. The aim of this study is to examine the clinical manifestation of spontaneous nystagmus in HSC-BPPV and evaluate the effect on the treatment outcome.
Patients And Methods:
Electronystagmography and video eye movement recordings of 125 patients diagnosed as HSC-BPPV were reviewed retrospectively. Presence of spontaneous nystagmus was analyzed and treatment outcome after repositioning therapy was compared.
Results:
Overall, spontaneous nystagmus was observed in 19 patients (15.2%) with HSC-BPPV at initial presentation. In canalolithiasis group (n=64), the treatment outcome did not differ between patients with or without spontaneous nystagmus. However, in cupulolithiasis group (n=61), patients presenting with spontaneous nystagmus (n=10) required more repositioning therapy sessions.
Conclusion:
The presence of spontaneous nystagmus at initial presentation may implicate poorer treatment outcome in cupulolithiasis HSC-BPPV patients.
Related Concept Videos
Equilibrium and Balance
The Vestibular System
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways
Gyroscope: Precession
Somatic Spinal Reflexes
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
Indirect Motor Pathways
The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. The vestibular system detects changes in...
