Perioperative recordings of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in otosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate saccular function in patients with otosclerosis. Furthermore, the influence of stapedotomy on the vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) should be demonstrated.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Bone-conducted tone-burst-evoked VEMPs were measured in 23 patients (25 ears) with unilateral or bilateral otosclerosis preoperatively and postoperatively.


RESULTS
Preoperatively, VEMPs could be recorded in 11 ears (44%). There was no statistically significant correlation among the extent of preoperative sensorineural hearing loss, age, and VEMP measurements. Postoperatively, VEMPs were found in 14 ears (56%). In three cases (12%), VEMPs reappeared after surgery. The rare cases of preoperative vertigo could not be correlated to the nonappearance of VEMPs.


CONCLUSIONS
Stapedotomy surgery does not influence VEMPs, implying that the saccular receptors are not injured by surgery. Moreover, in some cases, the elicitability of VEMPs was improved by stapedotomy surgery. Seemingly, otosclerosis can influence the generation of VEMPs most probably due to an involvement of the otolith organ's saccular receptors. No correlation was found between the clinical occurrence of vertigo and the elicitability of VEMPs.
Singbartl
Fabian
F
Department of Otolaryngology at Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Hospital of the University of Berlin, Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany.
Basta
Dietmar
D
Seidl
Rainer O
RO
Ernst
Arne
A
Todt
Ingo
I
D000328:Adult; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests