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From nystagmus to the air and water caloric tests
Anna Carolina Marques Perrella de Barros1, Heloisa Helena Caovilla
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios da Comunicação Humana, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. anna_perrella@yahoo.com.br
Unlabelled:
The caloric test is an important tool for the assessment of labyrinthine function.
Objective:
To compare the nystagmus response in the caloric tests with air at 50ºC and 24ºC and with water at 44ºC and 30ºC.
Study Design:
Randomized crossover clinical trial.
Materials And Methods:
40 healthy individuals were submitted to a neurotological evaluation, including caloric tests with air at 50ºC and 24ºC and water at 44ºC and 30ºC.
Results:
Comparing the air and water caloric tests, there were no significant differences among the post-caloric nystagmus slow-phase velocity in relation to the stimulation order, between ears and between the values of unilateral weakness and directional preponderance. The slow-phase velocity values were higher with water (p = 0.008, p < 0.001), and cold stimulation produced stronger responses (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Comparing 50ºC and 24ºC air caloric test and 44ºC and 30ºC water caloric test, we observed similar slow-phase velocity values for both ears, higher responses in the cold temperature and in the test with water, and similar results of unilateral weakness or directional preponderance for post-caloric nystagmus in both tests.