Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (o-VEMPs) testing in cervicogenic vertigo and its relation to radiological findings: a correlation study

摘要

Background: The term cervicogenic vertigo is reserved for cases where the suspected mechanism is proprioceptive. For a diagnosis of cervicogenic vertigo, it is essential to exclude other causes of vertigo. Generally, the patient has no hearing complaints and characteristically the symptoms are elicited by neck massage or neck vibration. The ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o-VEMP) is a test for utricular function that has been introduced and validated. Objectives: To assesses o-VEMPs in patients with cervicogenic vertigo using 500 Hz tone bust stimuli at 95 dB nHL Consequently, correlate the relation between o-VEMPs test results and radiological imaging, in the form of MRI cervical spine and CT angiography of the vertebral artery.Subjects: Fifty two subjects participated in the study; the group comprised 32 patients with diagnosed cervicogenic vertigo and also included 20 healthy matched adults. Methods: A random sample of consenting case and control subjects were obtained. MRI cervical spine with CT angiography of vertebral artery was done with o-VEMPs recordings. Results: Abnormal MRI cervical spines were found in all study group participants. The results for the CT angiography were variable with abnormal o-VEMPs latencies.Conclusion: A link co-exists between utricle and superior vestibular nerve in patients with cervicogenic vertigo. This may play a role in the pathogenesis of vertigo in these affected patients.