76. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c-VEMPS AND o-VEMPS) in the diagnosis of vestibular neuritis

Abstract

Vestibular neuritis (VN) is a common neuro-otologic syndrome characterized by acute prolonged vertigo lasting several days, nausea, vomiting. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are becoming the better diagnostic tool in this pathology. VEMPs can be recorded from tonically contracted neck muscles by acoustic and galvanic stimulation or forehead tap (cervical VEMPs, c-VEMPs) or from extraocular muscles, using the same stimuli. (ocular VEMPs, o-VEMPs). The aim of our study was to assess the reliability of c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs in the diagnosis of VN. We examined 16 patients, 6 F, 10 M, mean age 50.1 with vestibular neuritis (VN). c-VEMPs were recorded from electrodes placed over the SCM, with reference placed over the clavicle. o-VEMPs were recorded from the same electrodes placed beneath the eye and reference 2 cm below. For both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs we used acoustic stimuli. In 10 patients (62.5%), only o-VEMPs were absent or abnormal in the affected side; in one patient (6.2%) only c-VEMPs were abnormal; in 5 patients (31.2%) both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs were absent or abnormal. c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs are reliable tests in the diagnosis of VN. Our results confirm o-VEMPs to be the most impaired test in this disease.