[Indications for electronystagmography. When should the ENT physician indicate electronystagmography?]

With the increasing application of technology in medicine, clinical vestibular examination using Frenzel's spectacles is often thought to be out of date, and an electronystagmogram (ENG) is ordered. However, some important facets of the clinical behaviour cannot be determined by ENG alone, especially nystagmus after head-shaking, and the rotatory nystagmus of paroxysmal positional vertigo. Thus, in most cases routine vestibular examination is sufficient, and ENG is only indicated in certain cases. The ENG is then of considerable advantage for determining qualitative characteristics and for quantitative analysis of the nystagmus. The various methods of stimulation and of recording, the limitations and the advantages of the ENG are described in detail. An examiner fully familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods will profit from the use of ENG. However, the classical examination, including a thorough vertigo analysis, remains indispensable.