Development of nystagmus test and measurement for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Vertigo is the illusion of rotation caused by a problem or a set of problems in the balance system of the body. It is such a situation that objects or places around the patients are in a revolving position around themselves. Vertigo types are examined under two main headings as central and peripheral vertigo. Central vertigo may result from brain lesions, aneurysms, tumors, hemorrhage, and disruptions in cerebral vessels. Peripheral vertigo can be caused by thyroid types and metabolic disorders. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, colloquially called crystal floating, is the most common type of peripheral vertigo. It happens as a result of the falling of the crystals located in the balance center in the inner ear into the posterior semicircular canals. In anomalies formed in the crystals, the patient experiences dizziness when he changes his position while in the supine position. Hence, many diagnostic, exercise and treatment methods are used in case of BPPV. Today, as a result of the increase in computer use with the advance of technology, treatment interactions have increased significantly. In this research, a computer-based diagnosis and measurement system of nystagmus movements due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were implemented in accordance with the diagnostic method in line with the software created. The implemented system consists of three parts: mechanical, software, and hardware. Visual Studio c# software interface and connection control software was formed following the diagnostic methods acquired from the literature. There are panels in the software interface for bithermal caloric and other tests. The electronystagmography data following the software panels are graphed on Digital Waveforms Analog Discovery. Additionally, the bithermal caloric test mechanism which is another test method was designed and both programs and designs were integrated. Thus, a nystagmus test and measurement system for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were created. The standard deviation of the bithermal caloric test data to the 30-degree temperature value of the 3900 ml liquid level was calculated as 4.00 ∓ 1.8 s, and the required time for the preparation of the 2600 ml liquid level was calculated as 3.67 ∓ 2.8 s. While the standard deviation of the time required to prepare the value of the bitermal caloric test data at 44 degrees temperature, 3900 ml liquid level was determined as -1.70 ∓ 2.75 s, the time required for the preparation of 2600 ml liquid level was determined as -0.70 ∓ 3.09 s. In addition, the fluid evacuation rates of the fluids to be applied for the detected patient were determined as 13.66 ml/s ± 1,14 ml/s for the thirty-degree caloric test setup. For the forty-four-degree caloric test setup, the fluid discharge rates were determined as 16,30 ml/s ± 0,23 ml/s after repetitive tests. As a result, the test and measurement system created includes all the diagnostic methods for nystagmus due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, gathering all tests together, being easily accessible and tested for accuracy, are its distinctive and effective features compared to other methods.