[Transitory postural and positional nystagmus in children and its diagnostic significance]

Among 587 children at an age from 5 to 14 years, examined in the university clinic of O.R.L. Essen in a 10 years period because of dizziness, 201 times the subjective sensations could be objectified by a vestibular nystagmus. After elimination of all cases with a pathologic ear state 39 times a posture or positioning nystagmus was recorded. The examination was regularly effected by a systematic search for spontaneous and provoked nystagmus by Frenzel's luminous glasses and was completed by an experimental excitability test of the labyrinth according to Hallpike. The nystagmus findings are divided form analytically in transitory directional appointed, irregular and regular direction changing posture resp. positioning nystagmus with and without latency or contrary course. An etio-pathogenetic explanation is given.