Changes in vestibular evoked myogenic potentials after Meniere attacks.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to apply videonystagmography (VNG) and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests to patients with Meniere attacks, to explore the mechanics of where saccular disorders may affect the semicircular canals.


METHODS
From January 2001 to December 2003, 12 consecutive patients with unilateral definite Meniere's disease with vertiginous attacks underwent VNG for recording spontaneous nystagmus, as well as VEMP tests.


RESULTS
At the very beginning of the Meniere attack, the spontaneous nystagmus beat toward the lesion side in 5 patients (42%) and toward the healthy side in 7 patients (58%). Twenty-four hours later, only 6 patients (50%) showed spontaneous nystagmus beating toward the healthy side. Nevertheless, spontaneous nystagmus subsided in all patients within 48 hours. The VEMP test was performed within 24 hours of a Meniere attack; the VEMPs were normal in 4 patients and abnormal in 8 patients (67%). After 48 hours, 4 patients with initially abnormal VEMPs had resolution and return to normal VEMPs, and the other 4 patients still had absent VEMPs.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients (67%) with Meniere attacks revealed abnormal VEMPs, indicating that the saccule participates in a Meniere attack. This is an important idea that stimulates consideration of the mechanism of Meniere attacks.
Kuo
Shih-Wei
SW
Department of Otolaryngology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
Yang
Ting-Hua
TH
Young
Yi-Ho
YH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D004584:Electronystagmography / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014741:Video Recording