Impaired visual suppression of manually rotated vestibuloocular reflex indicates the need of further evaluation by MRI and MRA in patients with vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: MRI and MRA are accepted as valuable methods for diagnosing vertigo, although they are costly and time-consuming. Thus, some indicator of the necessity of a detailed evaluation by MRI and MRA is desirable.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: To assess the usefulness of an impairment of the visual suppression (VS) as an indicator, the relation between abnormal findings on MRI and/or MRA and impairment of the VS of manually rotated vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) was retrospectively examined in 40 consecutive patients suffering from vertigo.

RESULTS: 12 of 23 patients with a low VS% were found to have a pathologic condition on MRI and/or MRA, however, no abnormality was found in any of the patients with a normal VS%. The rates of abnormality on MRI and/or MRA significantly differed between the 2 groups (chi2, P = 0.0004).

CONCLUSION: The VS% is thought to be a good indicator of the need for further evaluation by MRI and MRA in vertiginous patients.