A study of vestibular evoked myogenic potential and clinical features in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: An institutional experience

Abstract

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder in adults caused by degeneration of the otolithic organs in most cases but may also be a consequence of head injury, labyrinthitis, and ischemia in the distribution of the anterior vestibular artery or prolonged bed rest. The aim of the study is to find the correlation of alterations in vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) recordings in BPPV patients, with other associated symptoms. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 29 BPPV patients over a 3-year period. All patients were investigated with pure-tone audiometry, bithermal caloric test with Electronystagmography (ENG) recording, and VEMP recording. Clinical tests included Romberg, Sharpened Romberg, and Dix–Hallpike tests. Associated parameters were recorded, and any association with abnormal VEMP was evaluated. Results: VEMP was abnormal in three patients. There was no association of abnormal p or n latency with BPPV. No significant relationship with any clinical parameter was observed. Conclusions: BPPV is associated with the occurrence of abnormal VEMP recordings, possibly due to degeneration of the saccular macula, but a reproducible association is not demonstrable in a significant way.