Videostagmography (VNG) is an analysis that identifies eye movement patterns that do not maintain control. These eye movements are called nystagmus; in nystagmus, the eyes go from left to right, up and down, or in a circle. The movements may be slow and rapid, even or sharp.
Nystagmus usually occurs temporarily when the eyes adjust when moving the head in a particular position. If it happens at other times, or does not happen when it should, you may have a disturbance in the balance system of your inner ear. This balance system is called the vestibular system.
Good balance depends in part on the cooperation between the organs and nerves of the vestibular system, your eyesight, and your neck and eye muscles. If everything works well, your brain receives the information it needs to focus your eyes on objects when your body replaces the state. This certainly helps you maintain balance as you move.
Problems with certain parts of the balance system can cause Nystagmus and therefore can make you feel dizzy and unstable. If you are suffering from balance problems, VNG can help you know if a vestibular disorder is to blame.
Other name: VNG
What is it used for?
VNG is used to determine if there is a disorder of the vestibular system (the balance system of the inner ear). It can also help find problems with nerves and parts of the brain that are part of the balance system.
Why is a VNG needed?
A VNG may be needed if there are signs of vestibular disorders. The most important sign is dizziness. Dizziness means that different people carry different baggage. It can include:
- Dizziness, the feeling that you or everyone is looking back at you
- Feelings that you are falling.
- Feelings of excitement or as if you are going to faint
Other signs of vestibular disorders include
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears
What happens during VNG?
VNG is usually performed by a specialist.
- health care providers and audiologists trained to diagnose hearing and balance disorders. An audiologist can provide specific treatment options to correct these impairments.
- ENT physician, a physician who treats diseases of the ear, nose, larynx, head and neck.
- Neurologists, physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of brain and nervous system disorders.
During the VNG test, you are in a black room with special glasses. A video camera inside the glasses registers your eye movements during these three main parts of the test.
- Eye Test. Without moving your head, you see the moving light with your own eyes and the fixed light with your own eyes.
- Position test. The patient is asked to bring the head and body into different positions. The caregiver still moves your head in certain positions. Your eyes are tested to see if certain movements cause Nystagmus.
- Caloric Test. in this part of the VNG, your ears are tested 1 x 1. This can indicate whether the vestibular system works better in one ear than the other. Cold water or air is placed in the ear. The cold warmth should move your eyes in a particular way. The same ear is tested again with warm water or air. If your eyes do not progress as expected, this may mean that you have a lesion in your inner ear or the part of your brain that controls balance.
Do I need to arrange anything in preparation for the VNG?
Your doctor will tell you how to prepare for your test. You will probably need to avoid certain products or medications for the test. However, do not stop taking any medications without first talking to your consultant.
VNG Are there any risks?
The test can make you dizzy for several minutes. Someone will try to get you home in case the dizziness takes too long. Some people experience nausea for a short time during nutritional testing, but nausea is uncommon.
What do the results mean?
If the VNG results are not normal, it may mean that the balance organ of the inner ear is affected. The condition can be in one or both ears. Your doctor can tell you what condition you have. More tests, including other balance tests, may be needed to prove the diagnosis.
VNG can help diagnose many vestibular disorders.
- Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV).BPPV is considered a more common cause of vertigo in adults. In this condition, a sense of rotation occurs when the head is moved in a particular way. Usually, the lobes of the inner ear contain calcium pellets that can tell the brain what the position and movement of the head is; BPPV occurs when these grains slip out of the chamber and end up in lobes of the inner ear that do not belong. When the grains enter the wrong space, they cause confusing signals about how the head moves.
- Meniere’s disease. This condition causes dizziness, hearing loss, rumbling in the ears (tinnitus) and an absolute sensation in the ears. It occurs when a very large amount of water accumulates in the balancing organ. The underlying cause is unknown.
- Labyrinthitis. This balance disorder can cause dizziness and temporary hearing loss. It usually occurs when part of the inner ear becomes inflamed and irritated (swollen), usually due to frost or flu. Sometimes it passes again.
- Vestibular neuritis. This is irritation and inflammation (swelling) of the vestibular nerve. This nerve carries signals from the vestibular system in your inner ear to your brain. It’s usually caused by a viral infection. The main symptoms are nausea and vertigo./li>
- Acoustic neuroma. This is a tumor that develops on the nerves associated with hearing and balance. It is usually benign (cancer-free) but can cause hearing loss, noise, and dizziness.
An abnormal result of VNG may mean that you have a location that affects the part of the brain that helps maintain balance. Cure options depend on the type of balance disorder you have.
If you have questions about your results or treatment, talk to your own Internet provider.
What else should I know about VNG?
Another test called Electry Stagmography (ENG) determines the same eye movement patterns as VNG. Instead of using a video camera to capture eye movements, Scary Things determines eye movements with electrodes placed near the eyes. The electrode is a small detector placed in a context that is affixed to the skin or worn.
In some cases, scary tests are still great. For example, it can be a good test for students with partially concealed eyelids or those who worry about wearing glasses. However, the VNG test is considered more omnidirectional and clearer. Still faster, but more expensive.
Delivered to MedlinePlus by the State Medical Library.
