Estimated Vestibulogram (EVEST): Effective Graphic Tool for Vestibular Assessment

BACKGROUND: The availability and development of the methods testing the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) bring a broader view into the lateral semi-circular canal (L-SCC) function. At the same time, a higher number of evaluated parameters increases demands on the specialist’s diagnose-making process. OBJECTIVE: To provide medical specialists a new diagnostic-graphic tool, Estimated Vestibulogram- EVEST, enabling a quick and easy-to-read visualization of the enhanced VOR test results within the L-SCC. METHODS: The research data for the development of the EVEST involved 148 participants including 49 healthy volunteers (28 female and 21 male) and 99 (58 female and 41 male) patients with a diverse degree of peripheral vestibular deficit. The correspoding L-SCC VOR test results, from patients meeting the diagnostic criteria, were used to create the EVEST. RESULTS: Based on the test results from the sample of 148 participants we demonstrate on cumulative and single EVEST graphs that the EVEST is a functional and reliable tool for quick graphic diagnosis of diverse types and levels of the peripheral vestibular loss. CONCLUSIONS: Unique patterns of the EVEST can help to easily distinguish various types and levels of the peripheral vestibular loss.