Frequency-Amplitude Ratio of Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential for Identifying Meniere’s Disease

Abstract

Objective: Frequency amplitude ratio (FAR) is one among several parameters of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) found useful in diagnosis of Meniere’s disease. This being the least explored of the parameters, there is not only a need for further investigation but also a need for identifying the best suited frequency amplitude ratio for diagnosing Meniere’s disease. Design: This prospective study aimed at investigating FAR of cVEMP in healthy individuals and individuals with Meniere’s disease establishing the optimum frequency pair for assessment of Meniere’s disease. Study sample: Twenty two individuals with unilateral definite Meniere’s disease were compared against 22 healthy individuals. Results: Frequency amplitude ratios corresponding to 750/500, 1000/500, 1500/500 and tuned frequency/500 were all found useful in diagnosis of Meniere’s disease by virtue of showing larger frequency amplitude ratio in Meniere’s disease ears compared to the controls (p< 0.05). The frequency amplitude ratio of 750/500 frequency pair produced highest sensitivity (95.45%) and specificity (79.55%) when using a criterion point of ≥1.12 for diagnosis of Meniere’s disease. Conclusions: FAR is a reliable tool for diagnosis of Meniere’s disease. The FAR of 750/500 is better suited to the identification of Meniere’s disease than 1000/500.