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Published on: August 30, 2019
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Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct
Chris K Zalewski1, Wade W Chien2, Kelly A King1
1National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Summary
Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is common, and this study found vestibular dysfunction affects many patients with EVA. Head injury and bilateral EVA increase the risk of these vestibular issues.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is the most frequent inner ear malformation.
- While EVA's link to hearing loss is known, its impact on vestibular function requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of vestibular dysfunction in patients diagnosed with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA).
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study involving 106 patients with EVA (midpoint diameter >1.5 mm).
- Clinical history, including vestibular symptoms and head trauma, was collected.
- Vestibular function was assessed using videonystagmography (VNG), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), and rotational vestibular testing (RVT).
Main Results:
- 45% of EVA patients reported vestibular signs/symptoms; 44% showed abnormal VNG results.
- Bilateral EVA and a history of head injury were significantly correlated with increased vestibular symptoms (P = .008 and P < .001, respectively).
- Abnormal VNG results were also linked to a history of head injury (P = .018).
Conclusions:
- Vestibular dysfunction is a prevalent condition among individuals with EVA.
- The presence of vestibular symptoms does not always correlate with objective test abnormalities.
- Healthcare providers should consider the high likelihood of vestibular dysfunction in EVA patients.
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