On the search for markers of poor vestibular compensation.

The effectiveness of pursuit gain, cancellation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, and a clinical oscillopsia test were assessed as vestibular function tests and tests that may allow prediction of which patients would compensate poorly after vestibular surgery. Cancellation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in 17 patients and 17 control subjects was compared. Pursuit gain for 17 patients was determined for three frequencies at peak velocities of 25 and 50 degrees/sec. The oscillopsia test was administered to seven patients during at least the first 6 postoperative months. We are unable to state that any of these parameters were effective "markers" of impaired compensation, but the oscillopsia test appears to be a useful clinical tool for vestibular examination.