This study was designed to assess the utility of otolith-ocular reflex
testing in patients with complete unilateral peripheral vestibular de
ficits. Ten subjects were given a clinical vestibular test battery (EN
G & vertical rotation) and research oriented tests of otolith function
including dynamic posturography with head tilt and earth-horizontal a
xis rotation with otolith,visual interactions. Clinical tests confirme
d the presence of a vestibular deficit and the side of the lesion. The
results suggested the following: posturography during head tilt is no
t a reliable means of detecting unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfu
nction, while earth-horizontal axis rotation is a reliable means of as
sessing asymmetric otolith function. The Bias response during earth-ho
rizontal axis rotation was significantly less during rotation ipsilate
ral to the lesioned ear compared to contralateral rotation while the M
od response was normal. The optokinetic test results in these subjects
were normal while otolith-visual interactions were symmetrically redu
ced in these patients.