[Differential heat diffusion as a factor in the etiology of the caloric nystagmus phenomenon]. / Unterschiedliche Wärmediffusion als Faktor in der Atiologie des kalorischen Nystagmusphänomens.

Despite the significance of the caloric vestibular test in clinical practice, the origin of the caloric nystagmus phenomenon is still unclear. Several theories which try to explain the functional pathways have been published. However, the bandwidth of the reaction pattern and response times from the start of stimulation to the first responses question their plausibility. Therefore, the present investigation examines and analyses the specific reaction pattern and associated response times in 84 patients. On the basis of this information a simplified computer simulation model involving lumped tissue parameters has been created to study the heat diffusion process during stimulation. Consequently, an attempt was made to utilize the simulated diffusion times to identify those anatomical structures which could participate in the origin of the caloric nystagmus phenomenon and we developed a new hypothesis about its origin.

[Heat diffusion of the temporal bone and caloric nystagmus]. / Wärmeausbreitung im Felsenbein und kalorischer Nystagmus.

The specific reaction pattern and associated response times in 84 patients were examined and analysed. A simplified computer simulation model was created to study the heat diffusion process during stimulation using this basic information. On the basis of the simulated diffusion times we attempted to identify those anatomical structures which could participate in the origin of caloric nystagmus, and developed a new hypothesis to explain its origin.