Vestibular Neuritis: Three-Dimensional Videonystagmography and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Results

Eight patients diagnosed with vestibular neuritis received the newly developed three-dimensional videonystagmography (3 D VNG) and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) examination in order to localize the lesion sire. Two (25%) of the 8 patients exhibited spontaneous nystagmus with 3 components, indicating that both the horizontal semicircular canal (HSCC) and anterior semicircular canal (ASCC) were affected. The remaining 6 patients (75%) displayed only horizontal nystagmus, meaning that only the HSCC was involved. Seven (88%) of the 8 patients had bilateral normal VEMPs, revealing sparing of the posterior semicircular canal (PSCC). In a comparative study, another seven patients with vestibular neuritis 1 year post-treatment also received the caloric test, 3D VNG and VEMP examination . Only one patient exhibited spontaneous nystagmus. An absent caloric response of the lesioned side persisted in 5 (71%) of the 7 patients. However. all patients showed normal VEMPs bilaterally. 3D VNG and VEMP examination indicates that vestibular neurilis mainly affects the superior division of the vestibular nerve: which innervates the HSCC and ASCC. meanwhile, the function of the PSCC and saccule. innervated by the inferior vestibular nerve, is preserved