Caloric reflex test 3155637 215486587 2008-05-28T12:26:52Z DOI bot 6652755 Citation maintenance. You can [[WP:DOI|use this bot]] yourself! Please [[User:DOI_bot/bugs|report any bugs]]. In [[medicine]], the '''caloric reflex test''' is a test of the [[vestibulo-ocular reflex]]. It is used by audiologists and other trained professionals to validate a diagnosis of asymmetric function in the peripheral vestibular system. Calorics are usually a subtest of the [[electronystagmography]] (ENG) test battery. ==Technique and results== It involves irrigating cold or warm [[water]] or air into the [[external auditory canal]]. *If the water is cool (30°[[celsius|C]]) the [[eye]]s turn toward the [[ipsilateral]] ear, with horizontal [[nystagmus]] (quick horizontal eye movements) to the [[contralateral]] ear.<ref>Bardorf CM, Van Stavern GP. Nystagmus, Acquired. eMedicine.com. URL: [http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic339.htm http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic339.htm]. Accessed on: August 17, 2006.</ref><ref name=narenthiran>Narenthiran G. Neurosurgery Quiz. Annals of Neurosurgery. URL: [http://www.annals-neurosurgery.org/quiz/nsq2/#a3 http://www.annals-neurosurgery.org/quiz/nsq2/#a3]. Accessed on: August 17, 2006.</ref> *If the water is warm (44°C) the eyes turn toward the contralateral ear, with horizontal nystagmus to the ipsilateral ear. *Absent reactive eye movement suggests vestibular weakness of the horizontal semicircular canal of the side being stimulated. ==Mnemonic== [[Mnemonics]] are common in the medical literature. One mnemonic used to remember the FAST direction of nystamgus is ''COWS''.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Webb C | title = COWS caloric test. | journal = Ann Emerg Med | volume = 14 | issue = 9 | pages = 938 | year = 1985 | pmid = 4026002 | doi = 10.1016/S0196-0644(85)80671-5}}</ref> '''COWS''': '''C'''old water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the side '''O'''pposite from the cold water filled ear, '''W'''arm water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the '''S'''ame side as the warm water filled ear. ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{GeorgiaPhysiology|8/8ch7/s8ch7_30}} {{med-stub}} {{Reflex}} [[Category: reflexes]]