Abstract
Objective: 1) Compare the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) responses and the ocular VEMP (oVEMP) responses in normal volunteers and patients suffering from vertigo. 2) Analyze the similarities between the evoked responses and the results obtained by videonystagmography (VNG).
Method: A prospective study in 126 patients (60 men, 66 women) was conducted at Hospital del Mar Barcelona from January to November 2011. cVEMP responses using click stimuli at 5 Hz monoaural 110 dB nHL intensity with the subjects in a sitting position and head turned to contralateral shoulder were analyzed. oVEMP responses were recorded using surface electrodes below the inferior eyelid. VNG was done using caloric stimulation.
Results: VNG was altered in 23%. The cVEMP response was altered in 29%. The oVEMP responses were classified either as altered or absent in 31%. The sensitivity was similar for both the oVEMP and the cVEMP.
Conclusion: The little difference in sensitivity found between the cVEMP and the oVEMP can be explained due to the different neural pathways. The same can be said for the results in the VNG. These current tests may complete the information about the physiology and integrity of the vestibular neural pathways and are easy and quick methods of evaluation.
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