16. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c-Vemps and o-Vemps) in some otoneurological diseases

c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs are a new diagnostic tool to detect diseases of the inner ear and the vestibular pathways. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability of c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs in some otoneurological diseases. We examined 27 patients, 15 F, 12 M, mean age 42,5. 20 Meniere disease (MD), 3 Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and 4 vestibular neuritis (VN). c-VEMPs were recorded from electrodes placed over the SCM, with reference over the clavicle. o-VEMPs from the same electrodes placed beneath the eye and reference 2 cm below. For both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs we used acoustic stimuli (tone burst, 117 dB SPL). MD: both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs were normal in 13 patients (65%); c-VEMPs were abnormal in 1 patient (5%); o-VEMPs in 4 patients (20%) and both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs in 2 patients (10%). BPPV: normal in 2 pts. (67%); o-VEMPs abnormal in 1 pt. (33%) VN: c-VEMPs abnormal in 1 pt; (25%), o-VEMPs in 1pt. (25%) both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs in 2 pts. (50%). c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs seem to be reliable tests to improve the diagnosis of otoneurological diseases. We point out that in some subjects with MD the only abnormal test was o-VEMPs.