Frequency preference in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential of idiopathic otolithic vertigo patients. Does it reflect otolithic endolymphatic hydrops?

Abstract

Conclusion: Idiopathic otolithic vertigo (IOV) with relatively long duration of attacks might be caused by endolymphatic hydrops in the otolith organ. Objectives: To clarify the pathophysiology underlying IOV, episodic tilting or translational sensation attacks by unknown causes, especially the possibility of endolymphatic hydrops in the otolith organ. Methods: Sixteen patients (6 men and 10 women) diagnosed with having IOV were enrolled. In these subjects, frequency preference in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) was studied. The subjects underwent cVEMP testing using 500 Hz and 1000 Hz short tone bursts (STB) (125 dB SPL, air-conducted sound). The 500–1000 Hz cVEMP slope was calculated and assessed in comparison with data from healthy subjects in the preceding study. Results: Twelve of the 16 examined patients had a significant preference of 1000 Hz to 500 Hz, which was suggestive of endolymphatic hydrops in the saccule. Patients with frequency preference of 1000 Hz to 500 Hz showed a tendency for longer vertigo attacks than patients without preference of 1000 Hz.

Keywords:

• Otolith organ
• saccule
• cVEMP
• tilt

Acknowledgment

This study was partly supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Research on Intractable Vestibular Disorder from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.

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