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Square wave jerks--incidence, characteristic, and significance
The Journal of Otolaryngology
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Square wave jerks (SWJ), rapid eye movements, are not always indicative of central neurological lesions. This study found SWJ in patients with peripheral vestibular issues, highlighting their non-specific nature.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Square wave jerks (SWJ) are saccadic eye movements often associated with fixation instability.
- Traditionally, SWJ recorded with open eyes are considered a pathological sign indicating a central neurological lesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specificity of square wave jerks (SWJ) as an indicator of central neurological pathology.
- To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of SWJ in patients undergoing electronystagmography.
Main Methods:
- Review of 429 electronystagmographic (ENG) traces.
- Analysis of SWJ patterns, particularly those recorded with open eyes during fixation.
- Correlation of SWJ findings with clinical neurological and peripheral vestibular evaluations.
Main Results:
- SWJ were present in 85 (20%) of the reviewed ENG traces.
- In 38 cases, SWJ were recorded with open eyes during fixation.
- A significant number of patients with open-eye SWJ had peripheral vestibular pathology or no neurological deficits.
Conclusions:
- Square wave jerks (SWJ) are non-specific rapid eye movements.
- SWJ do not exclusively indicate central neurological pathology.
- The presence of SWJ warrants further investigation into potential peripheral vestibular or other non-neurological causes.