Influence of lateral head tilting on head-shaking nystagmus

Abstract

We conducted a trial to determine whether or not head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) was influenced by lateral head tilting. Twenty-two patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular lesions were examined between July 1990 and June 1996. All of the patients were found to have horizontal HSN following horizontal head shaking in the upright head position. Eye movements were recorded by electronystagmography with the eyes open in complete darkness. Patients voluntarily tilted their heads to the lateral head positions with the assistance of the examiner as quickly as possible immediately after head shaking in the upright head position. Findings showed that monophasic horizontal HSN and the first phase of biphasic horizontal HSN were suppressed by lateral head tilting. The second phase of biphasic horizontal HSN was influenced differently by head tilting when compared with the first phase. Vertical (down-beating) components in horizontal HSN may appear in the peripheral vestibular lesions, but seem to have no definite relation to head positions.