title: Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in the evaluation of schistosomal myeloradiculopathy.
abstract: Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is the most severe and disabling form of schistosomiasis. The diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory, and image data. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a neurophysiologic test that assesses the vestibulospinal pathway through acoustic or galvanic stimuli. The aim of this study was to evaluate cervical spinal abnormalities in patients with SMR. Fifty-two subjects were evaluated, of whom 29 had SMR and 30 did not (normal control). Normal VEMP was observed in all volunteers without SMR. Abnormal VEMP was recorded in 34% of the group with SMR. After treatment, abnormal VEMP was found in 80% of those with persistent neurologic abnormalities. VEMP is a functional test, and the alteration may precede image abnormalities. This procedure may be useful for early diagnosis of schistosomal cervical spinal cord involvement.
authors.affiliation: Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical e Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina e Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.forename: Denise Utsch
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Maurício Campelo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Sílvio Roberto
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sousa-Pereira
authors.forename: Carlos Maurício de Figueiredo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lambertucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020818:Neuroschistosomiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult