Question
Regarding saccade testing during ENG/VNG, can you define what is a "crisp waveform"? I have heard of this term used to describe abnormality in saccades, but what does it mean and how do you measure it? Can you have an "uncrisp" waveform but normal latency, velocity, and accuracy?Answer
I have not heard that term recently. It probably applies to non-computerized ENG where the analysis of saccades was limited to the visual inspection of the tracings. Therefore, a "crisp waveform" refers to saccades that are sufficiently accurate and fast. Saccade waveforms that are not "crisp" cannot be normal because in non-computerized systems, only grossly abnormal saccade velocity or saccade accuracy can be detected. On the other hand, "crisp" saccades are not necessarily normal because non-computerized systems typically do not measure saccade latencies.
Kamran Barin, Ph.D. is the Director of Balance Disorders Clinic at the Ohio State University Medical Center and Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering Program. He received his Master's and Doctorate degrees in Electrical/Biomedical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He has taught national and international courses and seminars in different areas of vestibular assessment and rehabilitation. He has served on NIH and NASA panels and was an appointed member of the Equilibrium Subcommittee of the American Neurotology Society. He works as a consultant to GN Otometrics and provides courses and other educational material to the company.
