J. Javier Mata⁽¹⁾, Jaime Marco ⁽²⁾, Juan M. Jiménez ⁽³⁾, Amparo Postigo⁽⁴⁾, Francisco Delgado Moreno^(5)
(1)Department of Neuro-otology. Centro Audiológico, S.L. - Sevilla. Spain
⁽²⁾Department of Otolaryngology. University Hospital - Valencia. Spain
⁽³⁾Department of Otolaryngology. "V. Valme" University Hospital - Sevilla. Spain
⁽⁴⁾Department of Audiology. Centro Audiologico, S.L - Sevilla. Spain
⁽⁵⁾Department of Otolaryngology. "V.del Rocio" University Hospital - Sevilla. Spain

	[Physiology]	[Otorhinolaryngology]

DISCUSSION

After analysing the results, we agree with others authors about the difficulty of obtaining registers from which a reliable response without somatosensorial, ocular or auditory response interference ⁽⁴⁾. The register technique must take this possibility into account and try and prevent it.

Regarding the assessment of early potentials like those obtained by some authors ⁽⁵⁾, we objectify certain identification difficulties, although in a first approach the registers, as far as latency and morphology are concerned, coincide with those obtained in humans’ beings with linear acceleration stimuli. When comparing them, our P₅ wave matches up with P₁ concerning middle latency vestibular potentials, and at the same time, P₁ and P₂ match up with their homonyms of short latency vestibular potentials ⁽⁶⁾.

Due to the fact that we have carefully prevented the results were polluted by auditory registers, we think the response may tally with some activity generated by the vestibular nerve. At the same time, we bear in mind that the only activity that could interferes -oculomotor activity- does not seem to meddle with the short latency response, in spite of the fact that the first middle latency positive wave could be interfered with ⁽⁷⁾. We, nevertheless, have to mention that all this has given rise to considerable controversy and that it is still being studied.

It is then obvious the greater difficulty of the register if compared with that of nystagmic register when using a caloric stimulus. For that reason its clinical application should be assessed according to the estimated advantages of both, the nystagmic response, well studied and know, and those of the vestibular potentials. When comparing this assessment with the one extracted from the analysis of the registers with auditory evoked potentials, some data should be obtained which would be closer to the vestibular nerve’s physiological function on its way from the start to the brainstem. This seems to have already been demonstrated from the analysis of registers with acceleration stimuli ^(8-9). However, caloric stimulation would allow the obtaining of a coincident register of vestibular evoked potentials and classical nystagmic response, and it would provide, at least in theory, with a more complete assessment.

Discussion Board

Any Comment to this presentation?

[ABSTRACT] [INTRODUCTION] [MATERIAL AND METHODS] [RESULTS] [IMAGES AND TABLES] [DISCUSSION] [REFERENCES] [Discussion Board]

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	[Physiology]	[Otorhinolaryngology]

J. Javier Mata, Jaime Marco , Juan M. Jiménez , Amparo Postigo, Francisco Delgado Moreno
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Last update: 7/01/00