Abstract
Seventy-five patients who complained of vertigo or dizziness were evaluated in this study to clarify the origin of the responses of the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and usefulness of VEMP for making clinical diagnoses. We compared the findings of VEMP with those of bithermal caloric tests. Responses of the VEMP were related to the maximal slow phase velocity of caloric tests. In some cases, responses of the VEMP differed from CP% of the caloric tests. Furthermore, responses of the VEMP showed age-related change, as previously described in a pathological study in which the saccule showed age-related change. We concluded that VEMP is a test that evaluates vestibular function like a caloric test, but it may also show functions of otoliths such as saccules. Furthermore, VEMP may be a new test for vestibular function, and it may contribute to making an exact diagnosis in vertiginous patients.
