Assessment of Vestibular Function in Case of Labyrinthopathy

Dizziness and vertigo occurs in more than 20% of Global population, 36% of females and 29% of males complaining are consulted by physicians, it has a prevalence of 22.9-39%. Vertigo, tinnitus and diminished hearing constitute classic Ménière’s triad occurring at certain clinical forms with labyrinth affection (labyrinthopathy) in addition to Ménière’s disease. 20-point rating scale should be used for express-diagnostics of motion coordination which includes complaints quantification, Uemura’s test, Fukuda’s writing and stepping tests, tracking and past-pointing test. The objective of the research was to assess the degree of vestibular damage in patients with labyrinthopathy using a 20-point rating scale for express-diagnostics of motion coordination. The study involved 25 patients with labyrintopathy of otogenic origin, the median age of them constituted 41 (38; 44) year. They included 17 women (68%) at the age of 42 (38; 44) and 8 men (32%) at the age of 41 (38; 44.5). All patients had classic Meniere’s triad. An examination of all patients detected horizontal nystagmus. All patients underwent 20-point rating scale test for express-diagnostics of motion coordination. In the majority of examined patients the moderate severity of labyrinthopathy (20-point rating scale for express-diagnostics of motion coordination ? 14 (10; 17) points) was noted and tendency to more severe disease in female patients was marked. The most significant changes were observed during the assessment of patients’ complaints and Uemura’s test probably indicating the highest sensitivity of these tests in patients with labyrinthopathy of otogenic origin.