About B. Todd Troost, MD Expertise vertigo, benign positional vertigo, BPPV, and related ailments.
Experience
Past/Present clients More than 2000 patients with vertigo.
Chairman of Neurology Department for 18 years and examiner for American Board of Neurology for over 25 years. Extensive information is provided on my commericial free website at www.ivertigo.net
Expert: B. Todd Troost, MD Date: 5/17/2002 Subject: Questions about ENG test results
Question I have had a for two weeks a dizziness or loss of equalibrium that comes on when my head changes positon. It has been getting better. A hearing test showed all normal. An ENG test showed no spontaneous nystagmus, however in the supine I had right intermittant beating, head right right beating, but with head left, and right and left lateral i had direction changing nystagmus. Also I showed reduced vestibular response -8.3% and Directional Preponderance (r) of 16.7%. From what I have learned it sounds like a tumor, but since it is slowly improving I have a hope that it is nothing so sinister.An MRI cannot be scheduled for weeks in the future. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Answer Dear Steve:
Seems to me you should get an answer from your treating physician who ordered the tests as to how they would be interpreted. Basically I think they are normal. There should be at least a 20-25% reduced response to be significant and I don't think directional preponderance means anything! A few beats, particularly of intermittent positional nystagmus in any head position is NORMAL in my book.
I agree that it is unlikely you have a tumor. I think most likely you have positional vertigo that will spontaneously resolve ( the ENG is usually normal) or if not exercise therapy is 97% effective in providing a cure.
