Diagnostic value of vestibular function tests: an analysis of 200 consecutive cases

The contribution that vestibular function tests can make in achieving a topographic and etiologic diagnosis is being increasingly questioned. A greater reliance is therefore being placed on audiometeric tests including auditory brain stem tests. Our experience with vestibular testing has been most favorable, using photoelectric nystagmography and the Torok monothermal differential caloric test. This analysis of 200 consecutive cases shows that patients with normal vestibular function can be differentiated with certainty from those with organic disorders. In the latter group the site of lesion could be confirmed with greater than 90% accuracy. The reasons why vestibular tests in general are non-productive are discussed.