Neurológia pre prax 5/2022

Examination of subjective visual vertical by SVV bucket test

Objectives: To determine the tilt of subjective visual vertical (SVV) in healthy volunteers and in patients with peripheral vestibular syndrome by SVV bucket test. Evaluate the interindividual repeatability of the examination in patients of otoneurological clinic. Methodology: The results of SVV bucket test of 38 healthy volunteers and 42 patients with peripheral vestibulopathy were compared. We evaluated the interrater variability of the method by comparing the results of measurements of a doctor and a nurse in 153 patients of otoneurological clinic. Results: The average SVV in healthy volunteers was mostly less than 1°, not more than 2°. Significantly greater tilt of subjective visual verticals was observed in patients with peripheral vestibular lesion (p < 0.001). The tilt decreased over time. We found a good interindividual reproducibility of the examination. Conclusion: Examination of subjective visual vertical by the SVV bucket method is inexpensive, fast and repeatable. In healthy subjects, the tilt of SVV does not exceed 2°. It is higher in most patients with acute unilateral vestibulopathy, shows the side of the lesion, and decreases over time.

Keywords: subjective visual vertical, SVV bucket test, peripheral vestibulopathy