Analysis of the Correlation between Abnormal Function of the Semicircular Canals and Residual Dizziness after Otolith Repositioning
Authors: Yang Xinni 1, 530200, School of Postgraduate Studies, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 2, 541002, School of Postgraduate Studies, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 3, 541002, Department of Neurology, Guilin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 4, 541002, Department of Neurology, Guilin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 5, 530200, School of Postgraduate Studies, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 6, 530200, School of Postgraduate Studies, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 7, 530200, School of Postgraduate Studies, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guilin, 8, 530200, School of Postgraduate Studies, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guilin
Project: Research on the Correlation between Semicircular Canal Function and Residual Dizziness after Otolith Repositioning
Number: Z-C20241555
Corresponding Author: Wang Shuqing, Email: 250582733@qq.com
:: Objective: To explore the correlation between abnormal function of the semicircular canals and residual dizziness after otolith repositioning, and to study the etiology and related factors of residual dizziness from the perspective of abnormal semicircular canal function, providing a basis for vestibular rehabilitation (mainly semicircular canal function rehabilitation) in the treatment of residual dizziness after otolith repositioning. Methods: 80 patients who met the inclusion criteria in the Department of Neurology, Guilin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2024 to 2025 were selected. All patients were diagnosed with otolith syndrome and underwent otolith repositioning treatment. They were divided into the observation group (42 cases with residual dizziness after otolith repositioning) and the control group (38 cases without residual dizziness after otolith repositioning). Both groups underwent semicircular canal function tests, including rotational tests (sine harmonic acceleration test SHAT and velocity step test VST), head impulse test, and vestibular caloric test, and etiological assessment was conducted. Results: There were significant differences in the results of the vestibular caloric test between the patients with residual dizziness (RD) after posterior semicircular canal BPPV repositioning in the two groups, including the ultra-low-frequency function results of the horizontal semicircular canals on both sides, temperature nystagmus, left cold air (LC), and right cold air (RC) (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the results of the vestibular caloric test between the patients with RD after horizontal semicircular canal BPPV repositioning in the two groups, including the ultra-low-frequency function results of the horizontal semicircular canals on both sides, temperature nystagmus, LC, and RC (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the results of the head impulse test (video head impulse test, vHIT) between the patients with RD after posterior semicircular canal BPPV repositioning in the two groups, including the abnormal rate, positive compensatory saccades of left HC (head coherence), and asymmetry ratio of horizontal head impulse gain (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the results of the vHIT between the patients with RD after horizontal semicircular canal BPPV repositioning in the two groups, including the abnormal rate, positive compensatory saccades of left HC and right HC, and asymmetry ratio of horizontal head impulse gain and right anterior-left posterior head impulse gain (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the results of the rotational test between the patients with RD after posterior semicircular canal BPPV repositioning in the two groups, including the abnormal rate and unilateral weakness (UW) (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the results of the rotational test between the patients with RD after horizontal semicircular canal BPPV repositioning in the two groups, including the abnormal rate, UW, and slow-phase velocity (p < 0.05). Comparison of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores between the two groups of patients: The scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group, and there was a significant difference in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (t = -6.867, p = 0.000, Cohen"s d value = 1.501) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combined application of the bithermal caloric test, rotational test, and vHIT in the detection found that patients with residual dizziness after otolith repositioning have varying degrees of semicircular canal dysfunction, and are accompanied by a certain degree of anxiety and depression. All three tests are of great significance in the assessment of semicircular canal function.