Update VertiGo – light affection of mobile VNG

Abstract

Dizziness is one of the most frequent symptoms in outpatient practices. For the differentiation of peripheral or central pathogenesis of vertigo, history taking and clinical examination with the detection of nystagmus is elementary. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lighting for the detection of horizontal vestibular nystagmus while utilizing a conventional webcam. In the proof-of-concept study, caloric induced vestibular nystagmus was recorded with a conventional video-nystagmography and mobile webcam in addition to an external light source. The analysis of recorded data was performed with a self-developed software using computer vision techniques. The self-designed algorithm detected the existence of nystagmus and its direction in several cases. The experimental webcam-based vestibular nystagmography could be enhanced by improving lighting conditions. Currently, a clinical application for this technique is not approved. Further software improvements are necessary to increase its accuracy.

Keywords

• dizziness
• vertigo
• nystagmus detection
• video oculography
• nystagmography