Practice Test Geeks(CVT) Certified Vestibular Therapist Practice Test
← All CVT Flashcard Decks

Assessment & Diagnosis of Vestibular Disorders Flashcards

7 cards from real CVT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Assessment & Diagnosis of Vestibular Disorders flashcards as text

  1. Which finding on MRI would be MOST concerning for a vestibular schwannoma in a patient presenting with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and imbalance?

    Answer: Enhancing mass in the internal auditory canal on T1 post-gadolinium

    Vestibular schwannomas appear as contrast-enhancing masses in the internal auditory canal or cerebellopontine angle on gadolinium-enhanced T1 MRI.

  2. The Tullio phenomenon, in which sound triggers vertigo or nystagmus, is a classic symptom of:

    Answer: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD)

    SSCD creates a third mobile window that allows sound pressure to pathologically deflect the superior canal cupula, causing sound-induced vertigo (Tullio phenomenon).

  3. High-resolution CT of the temporal bone is the gold-standard imaging modality for diagnosing which condition?

    Answer: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD)

    SSCD is confirmed by high-resolution CT (0.5 mm coronal reconstructions) demonstrating a gap in the bone overlying the superior semicircular canal.

  4. During a clinical assessment, you observe nystagmus that changes direction with gaze direction (right-beating on right gaze, left-beating on left gaze). This is called gaze-evoked nystagmus and MOST suggests:

    Answer: Central pathology, commonly cerebellar or brainstem

    Gaze-evoked nystagmus that changes direction with the direction of gaze is a central sign, typically caused by cerebellar or brainstem gaze-holding network dysfunction.

  5. The vestibular autorotation test (VAT) evaluates VOR function at frequencies of:

    Answer: 2–6 Hz (high frequency, above caloric range)

    The VAT tests VOR gain and phase at 2–6 Hz during active head rotations, complementing caloric and rotary chair tests that assess lower frequency function.

  6. A patient with bilateral vestibular hypofunction will MOST characteristically show which pattern on rotary chair testing?

    Answer: Symmetrically reduced VOR gain across all frequencies with phase lead

    Bilateral vestibular loss produces symmetric but markedly reduced VOR gain at all tested frequencies with accompanying phase lead, distinguishing it from unilateral loss.

  7. A positive Hennebert sign (vertigo or nystagmus provoked by pneumatic otoscopy) is associated with which condition?

    Answer: Perilymph fistula or SSCD

    A positive Hennebert sign indicates abnormal pressure transmission to the vestibular system, as seen in perilymph fistula or superior semicircular canal dehiscence.