Abstract
Background The masseter vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (mVEMP) test evaluates the vestibulomasseteric
reflex neural pathway between the sound-stimulated saccule hair cells and the motor
neurons of the trigeminal nerve.
Purpose This study aims to investigate the contribution of mVEMP to the conclusive diagnosis
of recurrent vestibulopathy patients that were diagnosed with Possible Meniere's disease.
Methods The study includes 20 healthy individuals aged 18 to 40 years and 20 patients that
were diagnosed with Possible Meniere's disease according to the American Academy of
Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (AAO–HNS, 1995) Guidelines for the Definition
of Meniere's Disease. In addition to the AAO–HNS, 1995 criteria, the presence of aural
signs on the affected side was questioned according to the Meniere's criteria updated
in 2015. mVEMP records were obtained by using surface electrodes placed on masseter
muscles. Latency and amplitude values and asymmetry ratios of mVEMP waves were used
for statistical analysis.
Results Asymmetry ratios were 15.9 ± 9.7% for the control group and 60.61 ± 45.52 for the
experimental group; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The absolute latency and amplitude results were not statistically different
between groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion As Murofushi et al. (2001) stated in the literature, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic
potential (VEMP)/ocular VEMP latencies were not affected in peripheral pathologies,
and in our study, no difference was observed between the groups in mVEMP latencies.
The findings of our study showed that asymmetry ratio and absence of waves should
be used in the clinical evaluation of Possible Meniere's disease. We conclude that
mVEMP can be used to determine the lateralization of vestibular disorders and to support
the presence of a vestibular pathology. mVEMP can contribute to the vestibular test
battery.
Keywords
mVEMP - Meniere's disease - peripheral vestibulopathy
