Rapid Interpretation of Balance Function Tests

This book provides professionals who treat patients with balance disorders with an easy-to-read and practical manual for how to interpret and understand balance function testing. A variety of health care professionals, including otolaryngologists, neurologists, primary care physicians, audiologists, and physical therapists will benefit from this book. This text will serve as a simple and straightforward text that explains what you need to know about these tests. Included are: indications for balance function testing, what these tests can and cannot reveal, the basics on how they are performed, and how they are interpreted. A section called 'Putting it all together' gives sample test results and their interpretations. The included DVD illustrates the case examples.

Table of Contents:
1.Introduction 2. Vestibular Physiology - a qualitative review of what you need to know 3. Balance Function Testing - Overview, Indications, and Limitations 4. The ENG/VNG (Testing Apparatus, Smooth Pursuit, Saccade, Nystagmus - Spontaneous, Positional, Head Shake, Hyperventilation, Caloric Testing 5. Rotatory Chair 6. Posturography 7. Case examples

About the Author :
Michael J. Ruckenstein, MD, is Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Residency Training Program, the Balance Center, and the Center for Implantable Hearing Devices. He holds a specialty certification in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and a subspecialty certification in Neurotology from the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. He has an active clinical practice focusing on medical and surgical diseases of the ear and skull base. His research focuses on the development of quality of life measures for diseases such as acoustic neuromas and Meniere's disease, as well as the pathophysiology of inner ear disease. Sherrie Davis, AuD is a clinical specialist in the Department of Audiology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is the Director of Clinical Services of the Dizziness and Balance Center. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She has provided vestibular diagnostic testing and interpretation to patients ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics for more than 20 years.

Review :
Francesco Comacchio, ENT, dept Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Universitary Hospital, Padova, Italy, Hearing, Balance and Communication, (January 2015): "Reading this manual the impression is that of an author's successful attempt... We found of great utility for the reader the tables of quick tips for rapid interpretation of the different tests and a clear explanation in every single test of the administration modality and a well documented test interpretation... An accompanying DVD that illustrates the eyes movements associated with balance function testing and further assists the reader, represents a plus value of the monograph. In conclusion in our opinion the authors have perfectly achieved the aim of provide an easy-to-read practical manual for interpreting and understanding balance function testing and we believe that this manual might be on the desk of every resident and also [o]n that of many specialists." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liam M Flood, FRCS, FRCSI, Journal of Laryngology and Otology (January 2015): " - [The first chapter] was simple enough and I began to realise these authors have a knack of explaining in terms that even a surgeon can understand. ...Typical features [of Chronic Subjective Dizziness] are particularly well described. I enjoyed the contrasts in time courses for causes of true vertigo, whether positional, migrainous or due to vestibular neuronitis. These were again well thought out and one to save for a future lecture... By Chapter 5 I finally understood the headshake and headthrust tests. ...[T]he textbook itself is very good value. It is written in an accessible style; it gives practical information and does tackle what can be a baffling topic for many of us."