Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials to Diagnose Vestibular Neuritis: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

This scoping review aims to explore the diagnostic value of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs) in people with Vestibular Neuritis (VN) with a specific focus on the differential contribution of ocular (oVEMPs) and cervical (cVEMPs) recordings. A comprehensive search was conducted in December 2024 across PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Studies published in English and involving adult patients with suspected or confirmed VN and assessing VEMPs were considered eligible. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Data were extracted regarding methodology, patient characteristics, and diagnostic performance of VEMPs. Eighteen studies met all eligibility criteria. Included studies consistently demonstrated that VEMPs offer valuable diagnostic information in VN, particularly in identifying the affected branch of the vestibular nerve. Several studies supported the use of VEMPs in combination with other vestibular tests to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Methodological heterogeneity in stimulation parameters and recording techniques limits direct comparison across studies but underscores the need for protocol standardization. VEMPs are a useful adjunctive tool in the diagnosis of VN, particularly for topographic localization of vestibular nerve involvement. Future research should focus on standardizing protocols and exploring correlations with clinical outcomes to refine their diagnostic utility further.