The use of videonystagmography head impulse test (VHIT) in the diagnostics of semicircular canal injuries in patients with vertigo

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the function of semicircular canal in videonystagmography head impulse test (VHIT) in the patients with vertigo and balance disorders. Material and Methods: The study was performed in 135 patients (86 women and 49 men) aged 22–79 years, who were divided into 2 groups: I (study group) – 73 patients with vertigo of peripheral, central or mixed origin, II (control group) – 62 patients without vertigo (healthy individuals). The function of canal was determined on the basis of GAIN and expressed as DG/RH×100% (where DG is deviation of gaze and RH is rotation of head). Results: In the study group the semicircular canal injuries were found in 37 (50.69%) patients, including 24 (32.87%) patients with 1 injury and 13 (17.8%) patients with 2 or more injuries in semicircular canal. The injured anterior semicircular canal was reported 13 times; the lateral – 9 times and the posterior – 31 times. Conclusions: In the study group, in the VHIT, injuries in semicircular canals were reported in peripheral vertigo, mixed vertigo with non-compensated and compensated function of the labyrinth in 50.68% cases, whereas in the caloric test dysfunction of the labyrinth was found in 58.49% cases.