Evaluation of vestibular evoked myogenic potential, video head impulse test and imaging findings in patients with multiple sclerosis

In our study, whether or not there was a peripheral vestibular end organ damage composed of vestibular nerve, utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals in cases diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS was investigated by using the VEMP/vHIT test. The VEMP/vHIT findings of relapsing-remitting type of MS patients were compared with healthy subjects, the VEMP/vHIT parameters and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were investigated. For this purpose, a total of 50 individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 who were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS by a neurology physician at the Department of Neurology, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital and 35 normal and healthy individuals in the same age group with normal hearing and without balance problems were included in the study. The sVEMP, oVEMP and vHIT tests used in the evaluation of the groups were performed in the Audiology Unit of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital. EDSS and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the MS group were evaluated by neurology physicians. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained from the study, the rates of obtaining oVEMP response in the MS group were significantly different from the control group, while there was no significant difference in terms of sVEMP responses. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sVEMP/oVEMP mean latencies and vHIT gains. However, when the groups were compared in terms of sVEMP amplitudes, it was found to be significantly lower in the MS group. In the MS group, there was no significant correlation between brain stem-cerebellar symptoms, brain stem eye movement disorder symptoms, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, previous optic neuritic episode, duration of illness, EDSS score, total number of episodes and VEMP/vHIT. Incidence of abnormal oVEMP was significantly higher in the MS group than in the control group, whereas incidence of abnormal sVEMP and vHIT were not significant between groups. In MS group, no significant correlation was found between mesencephalon, bulbus, pons, cervical lesion and abnormal VEMP and vHIT according to lesion localization in MRI. It is thought that it may be useful to perform all vestibular evaluation, when MS patients have serious problems related to balance; such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Keywords: Imaging, multiple sclerosis, vestibular evoked myogenic potential, video head impulse test