Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report
Abstract BackgroundObserving eye movements during episodic vertigo attacks is crucial for accurately diagnosing vestibular disorders. In clinical practice, many cases lack observable symptoms or clear findings during outpatient examinations, leading to diagnostic challenges. A...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JMIR Publications
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e70015 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849705785729220608 |
|---|---|
| author | Hiroyuki Sakazaki Masao Noda Yumi Dobashi Tatsuaki Kuroda Reiko Tsunoda Hiroaki Fushiki |
| author_facet | Hiroyuki Sakazaki Masao Noda Yumi Dobashi Tatsuaki Kuroda Reiko Tsunoda Hiroaki Fushiki |
| author_sort | Hiroyuki Sakazaki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
BackgroundObserving eye movements during episodic vertigo attacks is crucial for accurately diagnosing vestibular disorders. In clinical practice, many cases lack observable symptoms or clear findings during outpatient examinations, leading to diagnostic challenges. An accurate diagnosis is essential for timely treatment, as conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière’s disease, and vestibular migraine require different therapeutic approaches.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and evaluate a cost-effective diagnostic tool that integrates a mini-infrared camera with 3D-printed goggles, enabling at-home recording of nystagmus during vertigo attacks.
MethodsA commercially available mini-infrared camera (US $25) was combined with 3D-printed goggles (US $13) to create a system for recording eye movements in dark conditions. A case study was conducted on a male patient in his 40s who experienced recurrent episodic vertigo.
ResultsInitial outpatient evaluations, including oculomotor and vestibular tests using infrared Frenzel glasses, revealed no spontaneous or positional nystagmus. However, with the proposed system, the patient successfully recorded geotropic direction-changing positional nystagmus during a vertigo attack at home. The nystagmus was beating distinctly stronger on the left side down with 2.0 beats/second than the right side down with 1.2 beats/second. Based on the recorded videos, a diagnosis of lateral semicircular canal-type BPPV was made. Treatment with the Gufoni maneuver effectively alleviated the patient’s symptoms, confirming the diagnosis. The affordability and practicality of the device make it particularly suitable for telemedicine and emergency care applications, enabling patients in remote or underserved areas to receive accurate diagnoses.
ConclusionsThe proposed system demonstrates the feasibility and utility of using affordable, accessible technology for diagnosing vestibular disorders outside of clinical settings. By addressing key challenges, such as the absence of symptoms during clinical visits and the high costs associated with traditional diagnostic tools, this device offers a practical solution for real-time monitoring and accurate diagnosis. Its potential applications extend to telemedicine, emergency settings, and resource-limited environments. Future iterations that incorporate higher-resolution imaging and automated analysis could further enhance its diagnostic capabilities and usability across diverse patient populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e30f16f2deea491b92694fcb298ade77 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-e30f16f2deea491b92694fcb298ade772025-08-20T03:16:22ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-02-019e70015e7001510.2196/70015Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case ReportHiroyuki Sakazakihttp://orcid.org/0009-0005-2938-9798Masao Nodahttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6281-2782Yumi Dobashihttp://orcid.org/0009-0000-4957-7060Tatsuaki Kurodahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3927-8002Reiko Tsunodahttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8151-9071Hiroaki Fushikihttp://orcid.org/0009-0003-4120-8641 Abstract BackgroundObserving eye movements during episodic vertigo attacks is crucial for accurately diagnosing vestibular disorders. In clinical practice, many cases lack observable symptoms or clear findings during outpatient examinations, leading to diagnostic challenges. An accurate diagnosis is essential for timely treatment, as conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière’s disease, and vestibular migraine require different therapeutic approaches. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and evaluate a cost-effective diagnostic tool that integrates a mini-infrared camera with 3D-printed goggles, enabling at-home recording of nystagmus during vertigo attacks. MethodsA commercially available mini-infrared camera (US $25) was combined with 3D-printed goggles (US $13) to create a system for recording eye movements in dark conditions. A case study was conducted on a male patient in his 40s who experienced recurrent episodic vertigo. ResultsInitial outpatient evaluations, including oculomotor and vestibular tests using infrared Frenzel glasses, revealed no spontaneous or positional nystagmus. However, with the proposed system, the patient successfully recorded geotropic direction-changing positional nystagmus during a vertigo attack at home. The nystagmus was beating distinctly stronger on the left side down with 2.0 beats/second than the right side down with 1.2 beats/second. Based on the recorded videos, a diagnosis of lateral semicircular canal-type BPPV was made. Treatment with the Gufoni maneuver effectively alleviated the patient’s symptoms, confirming the diagnosis. The affordability and practicality of the device make it particularly suitable for telemedicine and emergency care applications, enabling patients in remote or underserved areas to receive accurate diagnoses. ConclusionsThe proposed system demonstrates the feasibility and utility of using affordable, accessible technology for diagnosing vestibular disorders outside of clinical settings. By addressing key challenges, such as the absence of symptoms during clinical visits and the high costs associated with traditional diagnostic tools, this device offers a practical solution for real-time monitoring and accurate diagnosis. Its potential applications extend to telemedicine, emergency settings, and resource-limited environments. Future iterations that incorporate higher-resolution imaging and automated analysis could further enhance its diagnostic capabilities and usability across diverse patient populations.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e70015 |
| spellingShingle | Hiroyuki Sakazaki Masao Noda Yumi Dobashi Tatsuaki Kuroda Reiko Tsunoda Hiroaki Fushiki Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report JMIR Formative Research |
| title | Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report |
| title_full | Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report |
| title_fullStr | Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report |
| title_short | Monitoring Nystagmus in a Patient With Vertigo Using a Commercial Mini-Infrared Camera and 3D Printer: Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation and Case Report |
| title_sort | monitoring nystagmus in a patient with vertigo using a commercial mini infrared camera and 3d printer cost effectiveness evaluation and case report |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e70015 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hiroyukisakazaki monitoringnystagmusinapatientwithvertigousingacommercialminiinfraredcameraand3dprintercosteffectivenessevaluationandcasereport AT masaonoda monitoringnystagmusinapatientwithvertigousingacommercialminiinfraredcameraand3dprintercosteffectivenessevaluationandcasereport AT yumidobashi monitoringnystagmusinapatientwithvertigousingacommercialminiinfraredcameraand3dprintercosteffectivenessevaluationandcasereport AT tatsuakikuroda monitoringnystagmusinapatientwithvertigousingacommercialminiinfraredcameraand3dprintercosteffectivenessevaluationandcasereport AT reikotsunoda monitoringnystagmusinapatientwithvertigousingacommercialminiinfraredcameraand3dprintercosteffectivenessevaluationandcasereport AT hiroakifushiki monitoringnystagmusinapatientwithvertigousingacommercialminiinfraredcameraand3dprintercosteffectivenessevaluationandcasereport |