Caloric test and simultaneous recording of sympathetic skin response

Abstract

Conclusions. It was found that there was a close correlation between sympathetic skin response (SSR) parameters and nystagmus parameters obtained in caloric tests. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical correlation of these findings. Objectives. To investigate whether the caloric response creates a measurable SSR and, if so, to compare the SSR parameters with the nystagmus parameters and the feelings of the patient. Material and methods. Patients completed an autonomic symptom questionnaire (ASQ) regarding their past history of autonomic symptoms. They used a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the severity of symptoms during simultaneous SSR and caloric tests. Symptoms were also noted separately by the investigator. Results. Eighteen patients were included in the study (13 females, 5 males). Eight of the patients had central and 10 had peripheral vertigo. The mean VAS score was 6.6 ± 1.9 and the mean ASQ score was 7.2 ± 3.6. In terms of the recorded parameters, there were no significant differences between patients with central and peripheral vertigo, males and females or warm and cold irrigation. The number of SSR waves increased significantly when the slow-phase velocity was > 26°/s (p < 0.01) and the nystagmus latency was ?27 s (p < 0.05). The VAS score was also correlated with the number of SSR waves (p < 0.01). © 2006 Taylor & Francis.