[The examination of vestibular system in patients with degenerative changes of the cervical spine]

Degenerative changes of the cervical spine often cause the pains and vertigo as well as pathological results of otoneurological tests. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of the symptoms occurrence in the group of 146 patients, 63 male and 83 female, with degenerative changes of the cervical spine. Permanent or periodical headaches of various intensity occurred in 60% of the patients. Balance disturbances was observed in 74% of the patients, specially in women. In the cervical spine X-ray there were observed most frequently marginal degenerations with osteophytosis (16%), intervertebral disk narrowing (10%), and shallowing of the physiological lordosis (11%). In ENG examination, positional nystagmus (42-38%), gaze nystagmus (14-23%) were mainly recorded, with the eyes opened and closed. The eye-tracking pattern test was pathological in 57%. Optokinetic test results showed pathological records in 32% of the patients, unilateral weakness was observed in 22% and bilateral weakness in 17% of the patients. Observations mentioned above confirm frequent pathology and the necessity of early diagnosis and treatment of patients with degenerative changes of the cervical spine.