Ocular torsion monitoring in chemical labyrinthectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To study the usefulness of ocular torsion analysis as an adjunct to examining central vestibular compensation.

DESIGN

Prospective evaluation.

SETTING

The Vestibular Disorders Clinic, University of Manitoba Health Sciences Centre.

METHODS

Seven patients with intractable Meniere's disease underwent elective transtympanic gentamycin labyrinthectomy. Serial examination of patient progress was performed using fundus photography, subjective visual vertical estimations, electronystagmography, and audiometry.

RESULTS

Ocular torsion analysis reveals unexpected initial and early contraversive torsion behaviour in some patients, which may represent an early irritative phenomenon stemming from either the gentamicin or the Meniere's disease itself.

CONCLUSION

Despite the sensitivity of the ocular torsion measures, there appears to be no useful predictive correlation between ocular torsion and audiometric functioning that might predict impending hearing loss. Nevertheless, ocular torsion analysis reveals subtle changes in vestibular system functioning and may provide useful adjunctive information in the assessment of vestibular ototoxicity.