Potential value of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in paediatric neuropathies.
OBJECTIVE
Showing the interest of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in paediatric neurological vestibulospinal pathology detection and followup.


METHODS
The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing apparatus presented is now commonly used in ENT clinics for patients from 1 month of age. Our system and protocol permits control to evoke and select the best EMG level and makes possible a comparison of data from different sides or level of stimulation or different sessions. Normal vestibular evoked myogenic potentials latencies obtained with tone bursts were remarkably stable (P: 13 +/- 0.8 ms, N: 19.6 +/- 1.6 ms). The reported case illustrates abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potentials latencies in neuropathy.


RESULTS
A 6 y.o. child with progressive imbalance was referred to the ENT department for vestibular functional evaluation. Abnormally long latencies in the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and neurological examination oriented the diagnosis towards Guillain-Barre syndrome and immediate referral to a neurology department. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials also helped to monitor the neurological recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
The present case shows the potential value of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in diagnosis and evaluation of descending brainstem pathways in neuropathies like Guillain-Barre syndrome in complement to neurological evaluation.
Jacot
E
E
Robert Debre Hospital, ORL Department, Vestibulometry Unit, Paris, France.
Wiener-Vacher
S
S
D001259:Ataxia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*