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Video head impulse test in children with otitis media with effusion and dizziness
Mesut Tozar1, Ela Cömert1, Ziya Şencan1
1Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, 1st Floor, Yenişehir, Yahşihan, Kırıkkale, Turkey.
Insights
Vestibular impairment in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and dizziness is typically mild, as shown by comparable vHIT gains. However, covert saccades in 57% of patients suggest slight vestibular dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neurotology
- Vestibular System Function
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common in children and can be associated with dizziness.
- Vestibular system function in children with OME and dizziness requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate vestibular impairment in children with OME and dizziness using the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT).
- To compare vHIT results between children with OME and dizziness and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 30 children with OME and dizziness and 30 healthy children (ages 4-15) underwent otoscopic examination, tympanometry, and vHIT testing.
- vHIT parameters, including gain and saccades, were compared between groups.
- Analysis included differences in vHIT gains based on tympanogram types and otoscopic findings.
Main Results:
- Mean vHIT gains and gain asymmetry were comparable between children with OME/dizziness and healthy children.
- No significant difference in mean vHIT gains was found between type B and C2 tympanograms.
- Covert saccades were detected in 57% of children with OME and dizziness, while no saccades were observed in healthy children.
Conclusions:
- vHIT testing suggests that significant vestibular impairment is not typically detected in children with OME and dizziness.
- The presence of covert saccades indicates a potential for slight vestibular impairment in this group.
- This preliminary study highlights the utility of vHIT in assessing subtle vestibular changes in pediatric OME.
Objective:
The objectives of the study were to evaluate the vestibular impairment in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and dizziness by using vHIT test, and to compare their results with healthy children.
Methods:
The study population consisted of 30 pediatric patients with OME and dizziness and 30 healthy children, age between 4 and 15. Otoscopic and tympanometric examination and vHIT testing were performed to all subjects. vHIT test parameters were compared between pediatric patients with OME and dizziness and healthy children. Additionally, the differences of the mean vHIT gains between tympanogram types, otoscopic findings and the presence of saccades were analyzed.
Results:
The mean vHIT gains and gain asymmetry values of patients with OME and dizziness and healthy children were comparable. No significant difference was observed between the mean vHIT gains of patients with type B and type C2 tympanogram. Covert saccades were observed in 57% of the patients with OME and dizziness. None of the patients had over saccades and none of the healthy children had saccades.
Conclusion:
Our study is a preliminary study analyzing the vestibular impairment in children with OME and dizziness using vHIT test. Based on our results, it can be assumed that the children with OME and dizziness usually don't have a great vestibular impairment that can be detected with vHIT test. The covert saccades detected in this patient group are accepted as a sign of slight vestibular impairment.
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