Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.
OBJECTIVE
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing is the only clinically feasible way to measure function of the saccule. Interest in this test has exploded in recent years because of its potential utility in diagnosing third-window disorders and in diagnosing and monitoring Ménière's disease.


RESULTS
Recent literature on vestibular evoked myogenic potential covers a wide range of topics. Review articles, method articles and many case reports and uncontrolled case series are seeking new applications for vestibular evoked myogenic potential in diagnosis and monitoring of neurotologic disease, and in shedding light on inner ear diseases by mapping anatomic sites of involvement. The most informative work is still in the areas of superior semicircular canal dehiscence and in Ménière's disease. Also, many aspects of vestibular evoked myogenic potential and its use have not yet been adequately studied or described.


CONCLUSIONS
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential is a new test of saccular and inferior vestibular nerve integrity. It holds great promise for diagnosing and monitoring Ménière's disease and some other neurotologic disorders. It is still an evolving field, however. The methods, equipment, and applications for vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing are not yet standardized. It is not yet time for this test to be widely applied, but that time is not far off.
Rauch
Steven D
SD
Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. steven_rauch@meei.harvard.edu
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology