ABSTRACT

Objective:

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.

Methods:

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.

Results:

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.

Conclusion:

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.