Evaluation of the utricular function with the virtual–subject visual vertical system: comparison with ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials

Abstract

Introduction: The subjective visual vertical (SVV) is the most frequently assessed modality of verticality perception and has been measured in a variety of clinical situations, including peripheral vestibular lesions.

Aim: The main objectives are (1) to collect normative data of Virtual SVV™ from healthy subjects, and (2) to study the correlation between Virtual SVV™ and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (o-VEMP) on healthy subjects.

Materials and methods: Forty-three healthy subjects were recruited. Air conduction (AC)-elicited oVEMPs and bone conduction (BC)-elicited oVEMPs were measured. BC stimuli were produced with a RadioEar B-81 High Output Bone Transducer. Virtual SVV™ were also measured.

Results: Virtual SVV™ data from our healthy subjects were consistent with previously published normative SVV data. Normal Virtual SVV™ data did not correlate with normal AC-elicited and BC-elicited oVEMPs.

Conclusions: Virtual SVV™ data from our healthy subjects were consistent with previously published normative SVV data. Virtual SVV™ data from our 43 health subjects only had weak correlation with c-VEMP, AC-elicited and BC-elicited oVEMPs. These data serve as a baseline for a future study of patients with unilateral utricular dysfunction.

Significance: The Virtual SVV™ can be an attractive substitute for traditional SVV in clinical settings.

Chinese abstract

导言：主观视觉垂直（SVV）是最常被检测的垂直知觉形式, 并已在各种临床情况下被测量, 包括外围前庭病变。

目的：（1）收集健康人虚拟SVV™的标准资料；（2）研究虚拟SVV™与健康人眼前庭诱发肌源性电位（o-VEMP）的相关性。

材料与方法：选取43名健康受试者。测量空气传导（AC）诱发的oVEMPs和骨传导（BC）诱发的oVEMPs。用放射耳B-81高输出骨传感器产生BC刺激。还测量了虚拟SVV™。

结果：来自健康受试者的虚拟SVV™数据与以前公布的标准SVV数据一致。正常虚拟SVV™数据与正常AC诱发和BC诱发的oVEMPs无关。

结论：来自健康受试者的虚拟SVV™数据与以前公布的标准SVV数据一致。43名健康受试者的虚拟SVV™数据仅与c-VEMP、AC诱发和BC诱发的oVEMPs呈弱相关。这些数据可作为未来研究单侧泡囊功能障碍患者的基线。

意义：虚拟SVV™可以在临床上替代传统的SVV。

Keywords:

• Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials
• vestibular diseases
• vestibular function tests
• saccule and utricle
• bone conduction
• otolith dysfunction
• utricle
• subjective visual vertical
• utricle paresis

Acknowledgements

Authors thank Caroline P.E. Price, B.S. (NU) for study coordination, obtaining consents, and IRB regulatory work and Drs. Sumitrajit Dhar and Kristine Riley for mentorship in Capstone project.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Communication, and Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.