Assessment of Different Vestibular Pathways in Individuals with Dizziness

Abstract

Assessment of vestibular system is complex since vestibular system involves multiple numbers of structures. Hence for the assessment of the complete vestibular system multiple numbers of rests are required. Two groups of subject& participated in the present study, Clinical group consists of 15 participants in 3 sub groups with 2 groups having an otological diagnosis and the third group having no otological or neurological diagnosis for vertigo. Sub group A consisted of 8 participants (4 males & 4 females) with Meniere's disease. 7 of the participants had unilateral Meniere's disease and one participant had bilateral Meniere's disease. Sub group B consisted of 5 participants (1 males & 2 females) with unilateral vestibular neuritis. Sub group C consisted of 2 participants (1male & 1female) with idiopathic condition. Control group consisted of fifteen individuals (11 males & 4 females) without complaint of dizziness. In control group, the mean latencies of oVEMPs peaks were significantly shorter than mean latencies & of cVEMPs peaks. Amplitude of cVEMP peak complex was significantly greater compared to the amplitude of o VEMPs peaks. Also in the contra lateral ear of the some participants with Meniere's disease VEMPs results went abnormal. In the sub group B, depending on the involvement of the superior and inferior vestibular nerves the abnormal results were found in ENG, cVEMPs and oVEMPs. No significant association was seen between any of the two tests in both sub group A and B. In the sub group C, the ENG. cVEMPs and oVEMPs results clearly indicate involvement of multiple of anatomical structures.