HINTS
Medical abbreviation · Neurology
| Stands for | Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
HINTS stands for Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew, a neurology abbreviation.
Three-part bedside eye examination for patients with acute continuous vertigo that helps distinguish a benign inner-ear cause from a dangerous stroke in the brainstem or cerebellum. A normal head impulse, direction-changing nystagmus or skew deviation suggests stroke.
Example: HINTS: positive head impulse to the right, unidirectional nystagmus, no skew: peripheral pattern, likely vestibular neuritis.
Usage notes
A 2009 study by Kattah and colleagues found that HINTS performed by trained examiners detected posterior circulation stroke more sensitively than early MRI. Its accuracy depends heavily on the examiner's experience, and it applies only to patients with ongoing vertigo and nystagmus, not to brief positional dizziness. HINTS-plus adds a test for new hearing loss.
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.