Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in meniere's disease

OBJECTIVE:This study was designed in order to clarify the changes in vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) in Meniere disease. In addition, its role and feasibility as a test battery in diagnosis and follow-up of Meniere disease was evaluated.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study population included 19 patients with Meniere disease (7 male, 12 female; mean 46.15 years) and 18 healthy volunteers (7 male, 11 female; mean 32.44 years). All the data comprised of P1 and N1 wave latency, P1-N1 latency difference, P1 and N1 wave amplitude and P1-N1 amplitude difference were obtained from diseased ears and non-diseased ears of the patients with Meniere disease, and ears of healthy volunteers using 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz tone burst stimuli. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test.RESULTS:In the diseased ears of patients with Meniere disease, the P1 and N1 latency was elongated when compared with ears of healthy volunteers. The difference was statistically different for P1 latency. The amplitude of P1 and N1 waves, and the amplitude difference were decreased in 500 Hz data. Similar results were obtained in 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz tone burst results. However, it was not statistically significant in P1 amplitude of 1000 Hz and P1 amplitude as well as P1-N1 amplitude difference of 2000 Hz. Statistically significant decrease in P1 and N1 amplitude, and P1-N1 amplitude difference of nondiseased ears of the patients with Meniere disease were obtained in 500 Hz data. Additionally, a statistically significant increase in P1 wave latency, decrease in P1-N1 latency difference, decrease in P1 and N1 amplitude and difference in P1-N1 in 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz were detected.CONCLUSION:The increase of P1 and N1 wave latency and decrease of both amplitudes are the two principal changes in VEMP of patients with Meniere disease. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential is an easy, fast and relatively inexpensive test for the evaluation of patients with Meniere disease.Key Words: Meniere?s disease, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, vestibular system, electromyography.