Parallel auditory vestibular evoked neurogenic and myogenic potential results in a case of peripheral vestibular dysfunction, showing that the former originates from the vestibular system.
OBJECTIVE
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) uses high intensity clicks with recording from the tonically active sternocleidomastoid muscle, taking advantage of the close proximity of the saccule to the oval window. Our group has used the same stimulus to record Vestibular Evoked Neurogenic Potentials (VENPs) directly from the brain. VEMPs are now regarded the electrophysiological gold standard in peripheral vestibular system examination. We present a case of peripheral vestibular dysfunction to show that both VEMPs and VENPs provide similar results during recovery.


METHODS
A case of Meniere's Disease in recovery is examined. VEMPs were recorded using a 105 dB nHL click stimulus from the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle. VENPs were recorded using an ipsilateral parietal to Fpz montage and a 1 kHz tone-pip stimulus. Standard BAEPs and threshold latency series (TLS) were performed.


RESULTS
VEMP and VENP were unobtainable from the left side at initial presentation in a patient with Meniere's Disease, with normal BAEP and TLS bilaterally. After one month of therapy both the VEMP and VENP normalized.


CONCLUSIONS
As VEMPs are known to originate from the vestibular system, the parallel VENP result suggests the same for the latter VENP may prove to be useful and complement VEMP in determining vestibular dysfunction.
Papathanasiou
E S
ES
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 International Airport Avenue, P.O. Box 23462, Nicosia 1683, Cyprus neurophy@cing.ac.cy
Theocharidou
E K
EK
Papacostas
S S
SS
D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology