Unterberger test - Misplaced Pages

Test used in otolaryngology to help assess whether a patient has a vestibular pathology Medical diagnostic method

Unterberger test
Synonyms	Unterberger's test and Unterberger's stepping test
Purpose	assess vestibular pathology

The Unterberger test, also Unterberger's test and Unterberger's stepping test, is a test used in otolaryngology to help assess whether a patient has a vestibular pathology. It is not useful for detecting central (brain) disorders of balance.

Technique

The patient is asked to walk in place with their eyes closed.

Interpretation

If the patient rotates to one side they may have a labyrinthine lesion on that side, but this test should not be used to diagnose lesions without the support of other tests.

References

Issing; Klein, P. .; Weiser, M. . (2005). "The homeopathic preparation Vertigoheel versus Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of vertigo in an elderly population: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial". Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 11 (1): 155–160. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.155. PMID 15750375.
Kuipers-Upmeijer, J; Oosterhuis, HJ (1994). "Unterberger's test not useful in testing of vesitibular function". Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde. 138 (3): 136–9. PMID 8295639.

Disorders of hearing and balance

Hearing

Symptoms

Hearing loss
Excessive response

Disease

Loss	Conductive hearing loss Otosclerosis Superior canal dehiscence Sensorineural hearing loss Presbycusis Cortical deafness Nonsyndromic deafness
Other	Deafblindness Wolfram syndrome Usher syndrome Auditory processing disorder Spatial hearing loss

Tests

Balance

Symptoms	Vertigo nystagmus
Disease	Balance disorder Peripheral Ménière's disease Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Labyrinthitis Labyrinthine fistula
Tests	Dix–Hallpike test Unterberger test Romberg's test Vestibulo–ocular reflex

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