Evaluation of VHIT values compared to other diagnostic tests that can be performed in a patient with dizziness and balance disorders

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Dizziness and imbalance occur in 20–30% of adults, which is a significant health problem.</br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to assess the value of the VHIT test against the background of other diagnostic tests, including videonystagmographic (VNG) examination, Dix-Hallpike maneuver, VHIT test, posturographic examination, which are possible to perform in a patient with dizziness. </br></br> <b>Material and methods:</b> The study was performed in 200 patients aged 18–78 years, who were divided into two groups: I study – 100 patients with mixed dizziness, aged 18–78 years, II (reference group) – 100 healthy patients (students of the Faculty of Mili-tary and Medical University of Lodz and patients of the Clinic, without anamnesis of body imbalances (preventive examination), aged 20–60 years. After performing an otorynolaryngological subjective and physical examination, each patient was subjected to a caloric test according to Fitzgerald-Hallpike in the VNG test using a water calorimeter. Then the Dix-Hallpike maneuver was performed, while the activity of semicircular canals in the VHIT test was determined on the basis of the GAIN value. In randomly selected patients, posturographic examinations were additionally carried out.</br></br> <b>Results:</b> Based on the positive Dix-Hallpike maneuver, damage in the posterior semicircular canal in group I was found in 9 women (9.0%) and 4 men (4.0%), while a negative maneuver was noted in all people in group II. In group I in the VHIT study, damage to the semicircular canals most often concerned the following parts: anterior in 29 women (44.60%) and in 15 men (42.85%); posterior, in 19 (29.23%) and 8 (22.85%), respectively; lateral, in 3 (4.61%) and 3 (8.57%), respectively. </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> The VHIT study in detail assesses the labyrinth canal deficit in all cases of peripheral and mixed dizziness, inc-luding otolithic origin, but does not allow for evident differentiation of BPPV with mixed dizziness of other origin. The VHIT test is a recommended diagnostic tool in BPPV in combination with other positional tests that allow to determine otolithiasis, such as: Hallpike test for the posterior semicircular canal. The VHIT test should be analyzed against the background of other diagnostic tests that can be performed in a patient with dizziness and balance disorders.