The role of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in vestibulopathy diagnostics.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the role of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in the vestibular system investigation focused on the function of the saccule and inferior portion of the vestibular nerve. The main goal of the study is to report VEMP findings in different groups of patients with inner ear disorders symptoms and to identify some clinical application of this test in our patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: WE have examined 218 patients with cochleovestibular symptomatology (sudden sensorineural cochlear hearing loss, retrocochlear hearing loss, vestibular neuronitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere´s disease, central vestibular disorder, as well as vertigo of non vestibular ethiology and 32 patients with conductive hearing loss with VEMP testing. We performed I channel and II channels measurements.

RESULTS: We found no VEMP response in the group of conductive or mixed hearing loss in all cases - 100 % of 32 patients, in sudden sensorineural cochlear hearing loss in 35.4 % of 48 patients, in retrocochlear hearing loss in 19 % of 26 patients, in vestibular neuronitis in 40 % of 35 patients , in (BPPV) in 10 % of 43 patients, in Meniere´s disease in 61 % of 18 patients, in non vestibular vertigo in no case of 22 patients and in central vestibular disorders in 35 % of 23 patients.

CONCLUSION: The present study shows the potential value of VEMP investigation in periferal vestibulopathy diagnosis (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 33).