Vestibular Function Test in Old Age Patients with Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia

Lee, Geun Ho

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society 2001;5(4):341-347.
Published online December 31, 2001.

Vestibular Function Test in Old Age Patients with Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia

Geun Ho Lee

어지럼증을 가진 노인 환자의 추골기저동맥의 신연확장증과 전정기능 검사

Abstract

BACKGROUND
S: Most of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia(VBD) patients are in old age. Cranial nerve dysfunction including vestibular dysfunction such as vertigo is frequent complications of VBD. But little is known about the vestibular function test(VFT) profile of the disease.
METHODS
Auditory testing and VFT(electronysta-gmography with caloric test, rotaional test and computerized dynamic posturography) were performed in 25 elderly patients with auditory-vestibular symptoms or cranial nerve impairment associated with VBD.
RESULTS
postive test results were observed in 22 cases(88%). 11 cases had evidence of peripheral involvement, 4 cases evidence of central impairment, and 7 cases had evidence of both peripheral and central dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
Relatively high prevalence of central dysfunction means that mechanism such as ischemia or impaired blood supply to the vestibular system is as important as compression of the cranial nerves to generate vestibular dysfunction in elderly patients with VBD.

Key Words: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, vertigo, vestibular function test, Electrpmustagmography, Posturography