Why and when to refer patients for vestibular evoked myogenic potentials: A critical review

Abstract

Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs respectively) are now used by an increasing number of laboratories to evaluate otolith inner ear function and their pathways through the central nervous system. However, the literature is incomplete or unclear as to what information both c- and oVEMPs can add beyond what a good clinical examination can provide, and what other paramedical tests can provide also, and the present review aims to clarify what is known so far. The following review will describe what is known with regards to both c- and oVEMPs and their use. MEDLINE (accessed by PubMed, years 1994-2018) was searched with the following string: ("vestibular evoked myogenic potentials" [all fields]). Only articles published in English were evaluated. Both c- and oVEMPs are useful not only for confirming the presence of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), but also for confirming the presence of acoustic neuromas when MRI is not available, bilateral vestibulopathies, inferior vestibular neuritis and vestibular dysfunction in inherited neuropathies. Further work is required, especially with respect to oVEMPs. The usefulness of both c- and oVEMPs goes beyond the confirmation of SSCDs, and is useful in many clinical cases.