Caloric reflex test Totally Explained

Everything about Caloric Reflex Test totally explained

In medicine, the caloric reflex test is a test of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. It is used by audiologists and other trained professionals to validate a diagnosis of asymmetric function in the peripheral vestibular system. Calorics are usually a subtest of the electronystagmography (ENG) test battery.

Technique and results

It involves irrigating cold or warm water or air into the external auditory canal.

If the water is cool (30°C) the eyes turn toward the ipsilateral ear, with horizontal nystagmus (quick horizontal eye movements) to the contralateral ear.
If the water is warm (44°C) the eyes turn toward the contralateral ear, with horizontal nystagmus to the ipsilateral ear.
Absent reactive eye movement suggests vestibular weakness of the horizontal semicircular canal of the side being stimulated.

Mnemonic

Mnemonics are common in the medical literature. One mnemonic used to remember the FAST direction of nystamgus is COWS. COWS: Cold water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the side Opposite from the cold water filled ear, Warm water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the Same side as the warm water filled ear.

Further Information

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