Associations of Video Head Impulse Test and Caloric Testing among Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma

To determine relationships between caloric testing (CT) and video head impulse testing (vHIT) among patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS). To describe the distribution of CT and vHIT measurements and assess associations with tumor size and self-perceived handicapping effects.

Retrospective review.

Tertiary referral hospital.

Subjects were adults with presumed unilateral VS between 2014 and 2017. Interventions were CT and vHIT. Primary outcomes were vHIT value (abnormal <0.8) and CT value (abnormal >25%). Secondary outcomes were tumor size and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores.

Fifty-one individuals had complete data for CT and vHIT. The odds of abnormal gain increases by 2.18 for every 10% increase in unilateral weakness on CT (range, 1.44-3.34; P < .001). A significant negative correlation between CT and gain exists (r_s = -0.64, P < .001). Odds of observing saccades increased by 2.68 for every 10% increase in unilateral weakness (range, 1.48-4.85; P = .001). This association was larger in magnitude for overt than covert saccades (odds ratios, 2.48 and 1.59, respectively). Tumor size was significantly associated with an increase in caloric weakness (β = 0.135, P < .001). With every 10-mm increase of tumor size, odds of abnormal gain on vHIT increased 4.13 (range, 1.46-11.66; P = .007). Mean Dizziness Handicap Inventory score was 19.7 (σ = 22), without association to caloric weakness, gain, or tumor size.

CT and vHIT both effectively assess vestibular function for patients with VS and correlate to tumor size. These findings are important as vHIT has a lower overall cost, improved patient tolerance, and demonstrated reliability.