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Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in children affected by myelomeningocele
Pasqualina M Picciotti1, Antonella Fiorita, Lea Calò
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. pmpicciotti@rm.unicatt.it
Insights
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are a valid clinical test for evaluating vestibular function in children with myelomeningocele (MMC). This noninvasive technique shows normal results in most patients, indicating its suitability for this population.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Myelomeningocele (MMC) can affect various neurological functions, including vestibular pathways.
- Assessing vestibular function in children with MMC is crucial for understanding their overall development and potential balance issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) can be utilized as a clinical tool for evaluating vestibular function in pediatric patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele (MMC).
Main Methods:
- Fifteen children (ages 3-17) with MMC underwent VEMP testing.
- Sternocleidomastoid muscle electromyography was recorded during acoustic stimulation of saccular receptors.
- Analysis focused on p13-n23 wave latencies, amplitudes, and interaural amplitude ratios, compared to healthy controls.
Main Results:
- VEMPs were normal in 13 out of 15 patients with MMC.
- No significant differences were found in latencies or amplitude ratios compared to healthy children.
- Significant differences were observed in amplitude values between the MMC group and the control group.
Conclusions:
- The vestibulocollic reflex appears to be normal in children with myelomeningocele.
- Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are a viable and noninvasive method for assessing vestibular function in children with MMC.
Purpose:
The aim of the present study is to establish if the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) could be used as a clinical test for the evaluation of vestibular function in children affected by myelomeningocele (MMC).
Materials And Methods:
Fifteen children, aged between 3 and 17 years, who had been affected by MMC were investigated. Data obtained from these children were compared with normal data from healthy children of the same age. Electromyographic activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle was recorded, while children were laid supine and asked to raise their head off the bed in order to activate their neck flexors bilaterally. The saccular receptors were acoustically stimulated with a logon of 500 Hz at an intensity of 130 dB peSPL presented monaurally through earphones. In each recording, we analyzed latencies and amplitudes of the p13-and n23 waves and the amplitude ratio between the two ears.
Results:
VEMPs were detected to be normal in 13 patients. In particular, the mean p13 and mean n23 latencies were 15.7 (±1.4) and 21.7 (±1.1) ms, respectively; the mean amplitude value was 84.7 (±36.6), while the mean amplitude ratio was 17.4 (±12). A comparison of latencies and amplitude ratios between the children and healthy control group did not reveal any significant difference. On the contrary, a comparison of amplitude values between the two groups showed significant differences.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, vestibulocollic reflex is normal in patients affected by MMC, and VEMPs could represent a valid and noninvasive technique eligible to investigate the vestibular functions in these children.
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