The Treatment of Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction Using Caloric Vestibular Stimulation in Patients with Cerebral Hypertensive Crisis

Background: To verify the efficacy of caloric vestibular stimulation in patients with peripheral vestibular dysfunction after cerebral hypertensive crisis. Methods: Enrolled in the study were 60 patients with peripheral vestibular dysfunction caused by a cerebral hypertensive crisis, docu-mented by vestibulometry. Thirty patients underwent standard treatment plus caloric vestibular stimulation, and 30 control group patients received standard treatment alone. Results: After the two-week treatment course, the sensation of vertigo was observed in 40.0 % ± 8.9 % of treatment group patients compared with 80.0 % ± 7.3 % of control group patients (t = 3.46; p < 0.001). Spon-taneous vestibular somatic reactions were found in 46.7 % ± 9.1 % of the study treatment group in contrast to 86.7 % ± 6.2 % of the control group (t = 3.63; p < 0.001). Spontaneous nystagmus was seen in 40.0 % ± 8.9 % of treatment group patients compared with 93.3 % ± 4.6 % of control sub-jects (t = 5.31; p < 0.001). Spontaneous vestibular vegetative reactions were observed in 33.3 % ± 8.6 % of patients receiving study treatment in contrast to 93.3 % ± 4.6 % of control group patients (t = 6.16; p < 0.001). Also, 53.3 % ± 9.1 % of study treatment group patients showed asymmetry o