Identifying the affected branches of vestibular nerve in vestibular neuritis

Abstract

Conclusion. The inner ear monitoring system is useful for identifying the affected branches of the vestibular nerve in cases of vestibular neuritis, providing insight about the interval for the relief of vertigo. Objective: This study conducted an inner ear monitoring system including audiometry, and caloric, ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), and cervical VEMP (cVEMP) tests in cases of vestibular neuritis for assessing the affected branches of the vestibular nerve. Methods: Twenty patients with vestibular neuritis underwent caloric, oVEMP, and cVEMP tests. Type I indicates that one of the three tests is abnormal; type II indicates that two test results are abnormal; and type III indicates that no test result is normal. Results: All patients had normal hearing, bilaterally. Nineteen (95%) of 20 patients had abnormal caloric responses, 11 patients (55%) had abnormal oVEMPs, and 5 patients (25%) had abnormal cVEMPs. Restated, of all 20 patients, 8 patients were classified as type I, 9 were type II, and 3 were type III. The mean intervals between presentation and relief of vertigo were significantly different among the three types. One year after treatment, caloric, oVEMP, and cVEMP tests returned to normal responses in three (60%) of five patients.

Keywords::

• Caloric test
• cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential
• ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential

Acknowledgment

Grant no. NSC 99-2314-B002-049-MY3 from the National Science Council, Taipei, Taiwan.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.