Evaluation of vestibular and oculomotor functions in individuals with dizziness after stroke

ABSTRACT Changes in postural balance and visual complaints are frequent consequences of stroke. We aimed to investigate the symptoms and the vestibular and oculomotor functions of patients with dizziness post ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and compare the results among them. Methods: Fifty patients with dizziness after stroke were evaluated through a clinical anamnesis and computerized vector electronystagmography: calibration of ocular movements, spontaneous nystagmus, semi-spontaneous nystagmus, pendular tracking, optokinetic nystagmus, rotary chair testing, and the caloric test. Results: All patients complained of dizziness, especially imbalance. Ischemic stroke in the carotid territory was the prevalent type. Visual complaints were reported by 56% of the sample and were related to abnormalities in oculomotor and caloric tests. Conclusion: The occurrence of visual symptoms was related to some abnormalities in the vector electronystagmography tests, being more frequent in cases of stroke in the vertebrobasilar system, and with oscillopsia and reduced visual acuity as symptoms.

摘要 姿势平衡异常与视觉不适是脑卒中常见后遗症。本研究旨在探究缺血性与出血性脑卒中后眩晕患者的临床症状、前庭及动眼功能，并对比不同亚型患者的检测结果。方法：本研究纳入50例脑卒中后眩晕患者，通过临床病史采集与计算机化矢量眼震电图（computerized vector electronystagmography）完成临床评估与相关检测，检测项目包括眼动校准、自发性眼震、半自发性眼震、摆动追踪、视动性眼震、转椅试验及冷热试验。结果：所有患者均主诉眩晕，尤以平衡障碍为显著。颈动脉供血区缺血性脑卒中为最常见的卒中亚型。56%的研究对象存在视觉不适症状，且该症状与动眼功能及冷热试验异常存在相关性。结论：视觉症状的出现与矢量眼震电图检测中的部分异常存在关联，该表现在椎基底动脉系统脑卒中患者中更为多见，且常伴随视物晃动症与视力下降症状。