Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential and Radiological Findings in Cervicogenic Dizziness

The objective was to determine the possible pathophysiology underlying dizziness in patients with cervical spondylodegenerative changes. Two groups of patients were studied. The first group consisted of 35 patients with spondylodegenerative changes in the cervical spine and dizziness. The second group consisted of 35 patients with spondylodegenerative changes in the cervical spine with no complaints of dizziness (control group). Patients with other neurological problems or peripheral or central vestibular disorders were excluded from this study. All patients underwent radiological assessment of the cervical spine using plain radiography, videonystagmography (VNG), and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (C-VEMP). Patients with dizziness had significant higher scores for osteophytes, disc space narrowing, and overall cumulative scores on cervical degenerative index (CDI). In these patients, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between CDI scores (including overall cumulative CDI scores, total score for disc space narrowing, and total score for osteophytes) and the absolute latencies of P1 and N1. Describing the relationship between the occurrence of vestibular symptoms and abnormal C-VEMP responses using radiological findings may offer an effective rehabilitative measure for the management of this patient population. Furthermore, patients with extensive degenerative changes may be at a higher risk of developing dizziness and abnormal C-VEMP responses.