Bechterew's phenomenon in a human patient.

Background: Vestibuloocular and vestibulospinal reactions following the bil ateral loss of vestibular function are designated as Bechterew's phenomenon . In vestibular physiology, under experimental conditions, this phenomenon has played an important role for understanding the mechanisms underlying ve stibular compensation. However, clinical reports about this phenomenon in h umans are extremely rare. Patients and methods: Bechterew's phenomen was ob served throughout every stage of its development in a patient with consecut ive bilateral loss of vestibular function. The disorder was documented by e lectronystagmography and posturography. Discussion and conclusions: Bechter ew's phenomenon depends on different states of vestibular function developi ng in a certain succession, whereby the varying relations between failure a nd compensation are decisive. The phenomen very impressively demonstrates t he resilience of the central nervous system in adapting to varying peripher al functional states. From a clinical standpoint, knowledge of these relati onships is important for understanding vestibular compensation.