Electronystagmography (ENG) is a study of the equilibrium organ, i.e. the labyrinth. They are performed at, among others, people who have problems with balance or suffer from dizziness. What is electronystagmography? What are the other indications for the test? How does the preparation for ENG look like?

Electronystagmography( ENG ) is astudy , the purpose of which is to assess the balance organ, i.e. the labyrinth. During the examination, nystagmus is assessed, which is a symptom of disorders of the equilibrium organ.

Electronystagmography - indications for the test

A referral for the examination should be given to people who are struggling with:

  • dizzy
  • imbalance
  • Ménière's disease
  • spontaneous nystagmus
  • some cases of sensorineural hearing loss

During the medical interview, inform the doctor about any diseases of the auditory organ (otitis, labyrinthitis) and previous head injuries.

Electronystagmography - how to prepare for the test?

Before the electronystagmography, a neurological, otolaryngological and audiometric (subjective hearing test) should be performed.

In addition, the patient should discontinue the medications previously used to relieve dizziness for at least 4 days. He should also not take sedatives for 3 days before the test. Discontinuation of other medications should be consulted with your doctor.

On the day of the examination, the patient should come to the examination on an empty stomach or not eat 6 hours before the examination, to reduce the risk of nausea or vomiting during the examination.

Electronystagmography - what is it?

Electronystagmography is a 30-second irritation of the equilibrium system with specific stimuli. Then there is a 30-second pause in order to register the responses of the stimulated labyrinth for 30 seconds by the system of electrodes properly attached to the skin of the face. The answer is nystagmus, i.e. involuntary horizontal, vertical or rotational movements of the eyeball that occur as a result of stimulation of the receptor cells of the vestibular organ. Spontaneous and induced nystagmus is assessed: positional, optokinetic, kinetically induced in a pendulum chair,caused by a caloric stimulus.

The examined person lies down on the bed or sits on a chair, and his head is tilted back by 60 degrees. Then the electrodes are attached to the skin of the forehead and temples (near the outer angle of the eye) with a special adhesive, which are connected to the electronystagmograph - a special apparatus that records nystagmus. Then the so-calledcaloric test , which involves applying thermal stimuli to the auditory canals. In order to irritate the labyrinth, water is poured into the patient's ear at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius (ie "cold") and 40 degrees Celsius (ie "warm"). Temperature values ​​selected in this way are sufficiently distant from the average body temperature, which is 37 degrees Celsius, to cause nystagmus as a result of thermal shock. Immediately after the activation of the labyrinth, nystagmus appears, the peak of which usually falls on about 60-80 seconds of the test, regardless of whether the stimulation is continued or not. The test is recorded with eyes open and closed. The test result is provided in the form of a description.

During the test, the following are also performed:

  • calibration, i.e. the assessment of rapid eye movements;
  • examination where the eyes track the moving target;
  • position test, i.e. the assessment of vertigo associated with a specific head position;

Electronystagmography - complications

During the examination, nausea and vomiting as well as short (about 60 seconds) dizziness may occur, which is a typical labyrinthine response during nystagmus registration. A very rare complication may be an epilepsy.

Electronystagmography - price

In private doctor's offices, the cost of the examination ranges from PLN 100 to PLN 160 and is not reimbursed by the National He alth Fund.

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