Caloric pattern test with special reference to failure of fixation-suppression

Fixation-suppression of caloric nystagmus was studied in 1230 consecutive cases. An analysis of caloric nystagmus with failure of fixation-suppression (FFS) made it possible to classify patterns of FFS into three types: Type I: FFS was observed bilaterally in caloric nystagmus; Type II: FFS was recognized unilaterally on either side; Type III: FFS was seen in either direction of nystagmus. On the basis of these three types, the underlying neuroanatomical substrate responsible for FFS is discussed.