Evaluation of the vestibulospinal reflex by posturography. New perspectives in the otoneurology.

The vestibulospinal aspect of the vestibular function has been neglected in the evaluation of a patient with balance troubles. The attention is focused on vertigo rather than on problems of instability and ataxia, whereas also the examination of the patient is based upon the evaluation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Recent technical progress allows us to assess the vestibulospinal reflex in the global balance regulation of the standing patient by means of posturography, i.e. the recording and micro-computer analysis of the postural sway. In this way a precise description of this function is obtained and can be used in the approach to the patient, especially for a functional follow-up.