[Evaluation of the fistula test and the positional test in the diagnosis of a fistula of the labyrinth (author's transl)].

In 111 patients with a chronic otitis media and symptoms of dizziness the positional reactions were examined. Among 75 patients, who underwent operations later on, a fistula of the labyrinth was preoperatively expected in 25 patients according to a positive fistula pressure sign or a pathological fistula positional reaction. A positive fistula positional sign shows a contralateral beating transitory nystagmus in the head hanging position, while after rapid sit up the nystagmus is starting to beat into the ipsilateral direction. A labyrinthine fistula was operatively confirmed in 15 patients out of 25 suspicious cases. In these 15 cases both the fistula and the positional test were positive in 9 cases. 3 had a positive fistula pressure test and 3 a positive fistula positional sign. In 50 patients with negative fistula reactions only one fistula was observed during operation. These data underline the importance of both pressure and positional reactions in the prediction of labyrinthine fistulas.