J Korean Bal Soc.  2007 Jun;6(1):16-20.

Role of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials to Elevate the Sensitivity of Objective Tests in Early Meniere's Disease

• Choi IJ
• Hong SK
• Kim JS
• Koo JW

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of Meniere's disease (MD) is based on detailed medical history and audiometry in addition to electrocochleography (ECoG). However, the sensitivity of ECoG is rather low and the diagnosis seems to be rather obscure if the patient is evaluated after resolution of acute symptom, especially in early stage of disease without substantial hearing loss. In such cases, if a patient complains recurrent episodes within short term period, any objective result would be beneficial to initiate medical treatment such as diuretics. Since the saccule is the main target organ in MD, authors suppose vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test combined with ECoG may elevate the diagnostic sensitivity in MD. Aim of study is to evaluate the possibility of this suggestion. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty-four patients of unilateral MD who have hearing loss less than 40 dB and onset of first attack within 1 year were included in this study. They underwent VEMP, caloric test and ECoG. Abnormal rates of each test and results of combination were analyzed according to the group of MD.
RESULTS
Patients with abnormal results in VEMP, ECoG and calorict tests were 29%, 15% and 35%, respectively. Patients showed abnormal results either in VEMP or ECoG were 41% in all MD and 72% in definite group.
CONCLUSIONS
To get higher objective evidence of cochleovestibulopahty in early MD, interpretation of VEMP result in addition to ECoG and caloric test seems to be beneficial.

Keyword

Menieres disease; Evoked potential; Electrocochleography

MeSH Terms

Audiometry
Audiometry, Evoked Response
Caloric Tests
Diagnosis
Diuretics
Evoked Potentials
Hearing Loss
Humans
Meniere Disease*
Saccule and Utricle
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials*
Diuretics