Sensitivity and specificity of the ocular movements test (HINTS) in the detection of central acute vestibular syndrome

Abstract

Background

Acute vestibular syndrome may seem intimidating due to the large overlap of symptoms between vestibular and non-vestibular causes, including serious and benign causes. In addition, there is no diagnostic method to differentiate between central and peripheral causes early.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the ocular movements test (HINTS) in the detection of central acute vestibular syndrome.

Materials and methods

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, which included (n = 58) patients admitted with a complaint of acute vestibular syndrome to Tishreen University Hospital in Latakia during the period from April 14, 2021 to July 1, 2022. Patients with acute vestibular syndrome (according to the definition of the International Classification of Vestibular Disorders) who were admitted to the hospital and who had at least one risk factor for stroke were included. Patients with a history of recurrent vertigo, those with diseases that would preclude HINTS testing, such as cervical or ocular diseases, and those for whom MRI was contraindicated were excluded. HINTS testing and brain CT were performed on admission. A brain MRI was performed 48 h after the onset of symptoms. The central lesion was diagnosed with a positive CT scan or MRI.

Results

Out of the 58 patients, 23 were diagnosed with a central lesion and 35 with a peripheral lesion. We found that in patients with a central lesion, with ischemic stroke being the most common cause. Cerebellar infarction was the most common, with a rate of 34.78%. We found bulbar infarction in 5 patients with a rate of 21.74%, pontine infarction in 4 with a rate of 17.39%, cerebellar metastasis in 3 with a rate of 13.04%, cerebellar peduncle infarction in 2 with a rate of 8.70%, and cerebellar hemorrhage in 1 with a rate of 4.35%. The HINTS test was positive (i.e., indicated a central lesion) in 22 patients with a central lesion and negative (i.e., indicated a peripheral lesion) in 33 patients with a peripheral lesion. Thus, the sensitivity of the HINTS test in detecting central acute vestibular syndrome was found to be 95.65%, and its specificity was 94.29%.

Conclusion

The HINTS test is a simple and cost-effective clinical tool that can be used to accurately diagnose central acute vestibular syndrome.