Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) evoked by air- and bone-conducted stimuli in vestibular neuritis

To compare and characterise abnormalities for short latency vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) elicited by air- (AC) and two differing types of bone-conducted (BC) stimuli during vestibular neuritis (VN).

AC (500Hz short tone bursts) and two BC stimuli (500Hz at the forehead and impulses at the mastoids) were used to evoke cervical and ocular potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs) in VN patients (n=22) and healthy subjects.

More abnormalities were observed for the oVEMP than the cVEMP when using either AC 500Hz or BC 500Hz. The AC stimulus showed slightly more abnormalities than the BC 500Hz stimulus. In contrast, BC impulses produced frequent abnormalities for both oVEMPs and cVEMPs. The findings were modelled, based upon presumed selective lesions of the superior nerve.

AC 500Hz stimulation was slightly better than BC 500Hz in demonstrating abnormalities in patients with VN. BC impulses behave as expected for a predominantly utricular stimulus. The relative contributions of saccular and utricular fibres differ for stimulus type and target reflex.

AC 500Hz is as effective as BC 500Hz for investigating VN. BC impulses act most strongly on utricular afferents.