Balance Laboratory

Balance Disorders Laboratory

Tests performed at the Balance Disorders Laboratory have great importance in the detection of balance problems.

As Anadolu Medical Center, we perform the following tests for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes at the Balance Disorders Laboratory.

ENG Recording

Problems caused by changing head movements can be identified with ENG recording. For this reason, one of the most needed tests is the electronystagmography test which is supported by video recording and where results are analyzed in the computer environment. Valuable information about the function of the vestibular system is obtained by comparative analysis of eye movements in response to a stimulant. While involuntary movements of the eyeballs are recorded, a video recording of the eye movements is performed at the same time.

VEMP

It is a novel test which facilitates diagnosis of very complex balance disorders. Thus, through vestibules, i.e. vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), it is possible to examine the right and left vestibular systems separately. The vestibular system is the name of the balance organ in the ear. This test helps to reveal whether the vestibular system is functioning properly or the extent to which the vestibular system is dysfunctional. If the system functions normally, it becomes clear whether the balance disorder is due to the vestibular system or not. Yet, balance disorders associated with the vestibular system occupy a great space among the general balance problems. This test can be used in any person who has a balance disorder. It can be said that VEMP test is a complementary test of ENG recording which investigates the function of the vestibular system.

Vorteq and DVA

Another strong stimulant of the vestibular system is movement. Another test which may serve the same purpose is Vorteq (dynamic visual acuity test). By investigating visual acuity during changing head movements, information is collected as to the extent to which a patient experiencing an acute balance disorder has recovered after treatment. This test is also used to see the efficacy of the treatment throughout the time the patient’s treatment is in progress. Here it is necessary to investigate visual acuity condition during the up-down and right-left movements of the head. This test does not only provide a comparative analysis of the vestibular system. It also shows the degree of vestibular balance reached as a result of the vestibular rehabilitation program applied after a vestibular problem. The visual response to the movement shows the extent to which balance returns to normal after an acute vestibular disorder. Meniere’s Disease has an important place among the problems related to the membranous labyrinth. Only very few vestibular analysis tests can provide detailed information about this particular problem. Electrocochleography tests used for this purpose provide contribution to the diagnosis of this disease.

Finally, thanks to the diversification of vestibular testing methods, proper analysis of balance problems which have complex implications, and differential diagnosis of diseases which have similar findings are now possible.