ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the hyper-responsiveness of cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) in patients with Meniere disease (MD), and to compare the result of cVEMP between probable and definite MD group. METHODS: A total of 110 patients satisfied with probable MD and definite MD criteria, which is recently formulated by the Classification Committee of the Bárány Society, were included. An interpeak amplitude and interaural amplitude difference (IAD) ratio of both ears was measured. The abnormal response of ipsi-lesional cVEMP was categorized into 2 groups; hyper-response and hypo-response. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the probable MD and definite MD group, the mean IAD was 25.24%±17.79% and 53.82%±34.98%, respectively (p < 0.01). The abnormal response of cVEMP at the affected ear was more frequent in the definite MD group, compared to the probable MD group (32/40 vs. 13/36, p < 0.01). However, hyper-response was more frequently observed in the patients with probable MD, compared to the patients with definite MD (13/36 vs. 3/40, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Hyper-response of cVEMP was more frequently observed in the early probable MD patients. It might be an early sign of MD, related with the saccular hydrops, which can help the early detection and treatment.