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Evaluation of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials during benign paroxysmal positional vertigo attacks;
1Department of Otolaryngology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. esraer@superonline.com
Objective:
Recent studies show that benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may also affect the macula of the saccule. We investigated vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) results in patients with BPPV.
Materials And Methods:
The study group included 31 patients (31 ears) diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV and the control group included 23 healthy volunteers (46 ears) with no neurotologic symptoms. After VEMP recordings were performed, mean latency values for p13 of the study and control groups were compared.
Results:
VEMP responses were elicited in all controls (46 ears). In the study group, responses were normal in 19, delayed in 5, and absent in 7 ears. There was a significant difference between abnormal VEMP rates for patients versus controls (p < 0.001). Although VEMP responses were elicited in all non-affected ears of patients, there was a delayed response in 6 (19%) non-affected ears. This was statistically significant when compared with controls (p = 0.002). There was no correlation between abnormal VEMPs and the number of canalith reposition maneuvers required (p = 0.392).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest the prolongation of mean latency values for p13 of VEMP in patients with BPPV might signify neuronal degeneration in the macula of the saccule, and the absence of VEMP waves might represent the extent of damage. Also, high latency values for p13 in non-affected ears of patients might indicate bilateral neural degeneration in BPPV.
Insights
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests reveal abnormal responses in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), suggesting potential saccular macula damage. Abnormal VEMP findings may indicate the extent of neuronal degeneration in BPPV.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder.
- Recent research suggests BPPV may involve the saccular macula.
- Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) assess otolith organ function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate VEMP results in patients diagnosed with BPPV.
- To compare VEMP findings between BPPV patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between VEMP abnormalities and saccular function in BPPV.
Main Methods:
- The study included 31 patients with posterior canal BPPV and 23 healthy volunteers.
- VEMP recordings were performed on all participants.
- Mean latency values for p13 were compared between the BPPV group and the control group.
Main Results:
- VEMP responses were elicited in all control ears.
- In the BPPV group, VEMP responses were abnormal (delayed or absent) in 12 out of 31 ears (38.7%).
- Abnormal VEMP rates were significantly higher in BPPV patients compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Delayed VEMP responses were also observed in 19% of non-affected ears in BPPV patients, which was statistically significant compared to controls (p = 0.002).
Conclusions:
- Prolonged VEMP latency in BPPV patients may indicate neuronal degeneration of the saccular macula.
- Absent VEMP waves could signify the extent of neural damage in the saccule.
- Abnormal VEMP findings in non-affected ears suggest potential bilateral neural degeneration in BPPV.
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