Changes of video head impulse test results in lateral semicircular canal plane by different peak head velocities in patients with vestibular neuritis

Background: The peak head velocity influences on the video head impulse test (vHIT) results, but it has been not known how much the difference is. Aims: To evaluate the clinical evidence for the superiority of high-velocity compared to low-velocity vHIT. Material and methods: vHIT was performed in 30 patients with vestibular neuritis using two peak head velocities (mean 80 vs. 240 degrees/s). vHIT gains and parameters of corrective saccades (CSs) were compared. A vHIT gain of <= 0.8 or a peak CS velocity of >= 100 degrees/s was considered pathologic. Results: The vHIT gains were significantly lower (mean 0.5 vs. 0.6), and GA was larger (35 vs. 25%) at high-velocity vHIT, compared to low-velocity vHIT. CSs were significantly more frequent (100 vs. 80%) and peak CS velocities were larger (252 vs. 112 degrees/s) at high-velocity vHIT. The abnormal rates based on vHIT gains were higher (90% vs. 73%) and CSs occurred more frequently (100% vs. 80%) at high-velocity vHIT. The abnormal rates based on the peak CS velocity were significantly higher at high-velocity vHIT (100% vs. 57%). Conclusion: High-velocity vHIT is superior to low-velocity vHIT with a difference of 17-20% based on pathologic vHIT gains and presence of CSs.