title: Vestibular evoked myogenic potential latencies in Meniere disease and vestibular schwannoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in Meniere disease and vestibular schwannoma. Given that the saccule and inferior vestibular nerve may be damaged in Meniere disease and vestibular schwannoma, respectively, VEMP latency may be prolonged in the patient's affected ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban otolaryngology practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten Meniere disease and 12 vestibular schwannoma patients. Subjects were tested with the VEMP head rotation protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  VEMP latency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Meniere disease patients, the pI latencies (mean +/- SEM, milliseconds) were 12.26 +/- 0.75 (healthy ear) and 14.20 +/- 0.73 (affected ear) (p = .041). The nI latencies were 20.29 +/- 1.06 (healthy ear) and 25.06 +/- 1.64 (affected ear) (p = .013). In vestibular schwannoma patients, the pI latencies were 12.02 +/- 0.93 (healthy ear) and 15.88 +/- 1.35 (affected ear) (p = .016). The nI latencies were 20.98 +/- 1.59 (healthy ear) and 24.84 +/- 1.08 (affected ear) (p = .031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEMP pI and nI latencies were prolonged in the affected ear of Meniere disease and vestibular schwannoma patients. We propose classifying VEMP as abnormal if both the pI latency is > 1 ms longer and the nI latency is > 2 ms longer (sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 86.4%) compared with the other ear. This study suggests a role for VEMP in the clinical testing of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
authors.forename: Jason Atkins
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beyea
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Zeitouni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000294:innervation*