Skip to main content
Log in

Could vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) also be useful in the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula?

  • Miscellaneous
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The role of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) is at this time indisputable in the study of vestibular disorders. Furthermore, VEMPs are widely accepted as a diagnostic tool when a superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) is suspected, presenting in such cases a lowering of threshold values able to raise a recordable response due to increased inner ear immittance. According to the same principle, the possibility of another kind of alteration having the same effect on the inner ear might be considered when high-resolution computed tomography has excluded the presence of an SCD. In this paper four cases are described in which high-resolution computed tomography showed normal features without any labyrinthine dehiscence and VEMP threshold values were lowered; the appropriateness of suspecting a perilymphatic fistula in such cases and resorting to VEMPs in detecting a perilymphatic fistula is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Halmagyi GM, Colebatch JG, Curthoys IS (1994) New tests of vestibular function. Baillieres Clin Neurol 3:485–500

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Brantberg K, Bergenius J, Tribukait A (1999) Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in patients with dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal. Acta Otolaryngol 119:633–640

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Watson SRD, Halmagyi M, Colebatch JG (2000) Vestibular hypersensitivity to sound (Tullio phenomenon). Structural and functional assessment. Neurology 54:722–728

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Streubel SO, Cremer PD, Carey JP, Weg N, Minor LB (2001) Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in the diagnosis of superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Acta Otolaryngol 545(Suppl):41–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Valli P, Valli S, Vicini C (2001) Il nostro contributo metodologico (In Italian). In: Vicini C (ed) Attualità in tema di potenziali evocati vestibolari: dal laboratorio alla clinica. Formenti, Milano, pp 135–146

    Google Scholar 

  6. Minor LB, Solomon D, Zinreich JS, Zee DS (1998) Sound and/or pressure-induced vertigo due to bone dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 124:249–258

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Grimm RJ, Hemenway WG, Lebray PR, Black FO (1989) The perilymph fistula syndrome defined in mild head trauma. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 464(Suppl):1–40

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kohut RI, Hinojosa R, Ryu JM (1996) Update on idiopathic perilymphatic fistulas. Otolaryngol Clin N Am 29:343–352

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Roman S, Bourliere-Najeau B, Triglia JM (1998) Congenital and acquired perilymph fistula: review of the literature. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 59(Suppl):28–32

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wall C III, Rauch SD (1995) Perilymph fistula pathophysiology. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 112:145–153

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Poe DS, Bottril ID (1994) Comparison of endoscopic and surgical explorations for perilymphatic fistulas. Am J Otol 15:735–738

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Carlo Modugno.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Modugno, G.C., Magnani, G., Brandolini, C. et al. Could vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) also be useful in the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula?. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 263, 552–555 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0008-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0008-z

Keywords

Navigation