PURPOSE: To evaluate the vestibular system in individuals with dizziness and mood disorders through vector-electronystagmography (VENG). CASE REPORT: We evaluated 21 men and women ranging in age from 20 to 77 years with dizziness and mood disorders. All patients underwent anamnesis, external auditory canal assessments, and computerized VENG after required previous preparation. Characterization of the patients revealed that most of them were women (71.4%), and the mean age of the patients was 53.6 years. Depression was the most common type of mood disorder (57.2%), followed by anxiety (33.3%) and both depression and anxiety (9.5%). The majority of subjects (76.2%) were undergoing treatment with a tranquilizer or antidepressant. The VENG analysis revealed regular calibration in most of the samples (90.48%), the absence of spontaneous nystagmus in 76.19%, the absence of semi-spontaneous nystagmus in 100%, type I pendular tracking in 66.67%, optokinetic nystagmus in 85.72%, symmetric rotational chair testing (PRPD 30°) in 100%, and normoreflexia during the caloric test at 44°C and 30°C in 57.14%. CONCLUSION: Despite the presence of complaints, the number of vestibular examinations that was altered in individuals who underwent VENG was low. These findings reflect the importance of further investigation into these correlations in the population in question in order to prevent aggravation of symptoms and to provide a better quality of life.
