The
purpose of this test is to detect perilymphic
fistula . If pressure sensitivity is found, fistula is highly likely.
Timothy C. Hain, MD Please read our disclaimer.
The
purpose of this test is to detect perilymphic
fistula . If pressure sensitivity is found, fistula is highly likely.
Pressure is applied to each ear in turn, and eye movements are recorded with a sensitive infrared recording device. For this reason, fistula testing in our laboratory is about 10 times more sensitive than conventional EOG based recordings. The picture above shows Dr. Hain using a Brunnings otososcope to deliver pressure.
Fistula testing can also be done at the bedside as illustrated on the accompanying figure. Pressure is applied to the ear through one of the devices listed (1-hand bulb with typanometer tip, 2-Brunnings otoscope, 3-tympanometer), and eye movement is either directly observed or measured with a video-frenzel goggle device.