The diagnostic value of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in patients with Meniere's disease

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in comparison with caloric test in diagnosing Meniere's disease (MD) among patients with dizziness. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from 1,170 consecutive patients who underwent vestibular tests. Among them, 114 patients were diagnosed as having unilateral definite MD. VEMPs in response to clicks and short tone burst stimulation as well as caloric tests were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of each test were evaluated. The results of each test were compared with hearing level and staging of MD. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of VEMPs were 50.0% and 48.9%, while those of the caloric test were 37.7% and 51.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in hearing level between patients appropriately or inappropriately identified by VEMPs, whereas there was a significant difference in those of the caloric test. Combined use of VEMP and caloric test increased the sensitivity to 65.8%. CONCLUSION: Although the sensitivity and specificity of VEMPs in diagnosing MD were not high, they were comparable to those of caloric test. VEMPs as well as caloric testing may give additional information as part of a diagnostic test battery for detecting vestibular abnormalities in MD.