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Amplitude and area ratios of summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) in Meniere's disease

Akiko Baba1, Kenji Takasaki, Fujinobu Tanaka

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|November 13, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) area ratio may not be more sensitive than the SP/AP amplitude ratio for diagnosing Meniere

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neuroscience
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Meniere's disease (MD) diagnosis relies on identifying endolymphatic hydrops.
  • Extratympanic electrocochleography (ECochG) studies suggested SP/AP area ratio sensitivity for hydrops.
  • The diagnostic utility of SP/AP area ratio in transtympanic ECochG for MD requires further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness of the SP/AP area curve ratio in transtympanic ECochG for diagnosing MD.
  • To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of SP/AP area ratio versus SP/AP amplitude ratio in transtympanic ECochG for MD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 198 patients (209 ears) diagnosed with MD.
  • Analysis of SP/AP amplitude ratio and SP/AP area ratio from transtympanic ECochG recordings.
  • Patients categorized into definite MD, probable MD, and probable to definite MD transformation groups.

Main Results:

  • Abnormally high SP/AP amplitude ratios were found in 57.1% (definite MD), 39.6% (probable MD), and 50.0% (transformed) of cases.
  • Abnormally high SP/AP area ratios were observed in 43.9% (definite MD), 27.7% (probable MD), and 30.0% (transformed) of cases.
  • The SP/AP amplitude ratio showed abnormally high values more frequently than the SP/AP area ratio across all MD groups.

Conclusions:

  • The SP/AP area ratio may not offer higher sensitivity than the SP/AP amplitude ratio in transtympanic ECochG for MD diagnosis.
  • Findings contradict previous suggestions regarding the superior sensitivity of the SP/AP area ratio in extratympanic ECochG.

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