[Electronystagmographic evaluation of vestibular system in tinnitus patients with degenerative cervical spine lesions]

Abstract

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is described as one of the reasons for tinnitus, especially of patients with degenerative cervical spine lesions showed in radiographic imaging. In this study we present the electronystagmographic results of 76 tinnitus patients in two groups: 56 persons with and 18 persons without degenerative cervical findings. All patients underwent clinical otoneurological, audiological and additionally Doppler sonography of vertebral artery examination. We found incorrect cervical radiography in 76.3% tinnitus patients and pathological vertebral artery blood flow in 20.7%, most frequently in patients with cervical degenerative lesions. Electronystagmographic outcome of vestibular system in tinnitus patients in both groups showed abnormal recordings in positional nystagmus in 51.7% and 27.8% persons, saccadic test in 43.1% and 44.4% persons and in smooth pursuit test in 41.3% and 33.3% persons respectively. There were no significant differences between groups in ENG results. It can suggest central vestibular impairment in these patients. ENG examination, seem to be a useful method in vestibular system evaluation in tinnitus patients. Radiographic imaging of cervical spine is less valuable in these patients.