ABSTRACT

To investigate the correlation of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o-VEMP ) and video head impulse (v-HIT) test results with caloric test results in peripheral vestibular disorders, and to define an algorithm for investigating vestibular disorders.

All patients underwent an ENT physical examination, an MRI scan, videonystagmography, an o-VEMP test, and a v-HIT test. The patients who had central-type vertigo, PBBV, and vestibular migraine were excluded from the study. Overall, 30 patients were included in the study.

Canal paralysis was observed in 22 patients (73.3%). Pathological o-VEMP and v-HIT test results were obtained in 19 (63.3%) and 8 (26.7%) patients, respectively. Pathological o-VEMP or v-HIT was observed in 17 of 22 (77.3%) patients with canal paralysis. Sensitivity and specificity of a combination of o-VEMP and v-HIT test results for detecting canal paralysis were 77.3% and 80.1%, respectively.

It does not seem that o-VEMP and v-HIT tests can replace the caloric test to detect vestibular hypofunction. However, these two tests can be used as first-line tests to initiate vestibular evaluation. If one of these two tests shows vestibular hypofunction, there is no need to perform a caloric test.

Keywords: Caloric test, ocular VEMP, video head impulse test, peripheral vestibular disorder, vestibular hypofunction, canal paralysis