Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in the evaluation of schistosomal myeloradiculopathy.

Full Abstract

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is the most severe and disabling form of schistosomiasis. The diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory, and image data. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a neurophysiologic test that assesses the vestibulospinal pathway through acoustic or galvanic stimuli. The aim of this study was to evaluate cervical spinal abnormalities in patients with SMR. Fifty-two subjects were evaluated, of whom 29 had SMR and 30 did not (normal control). Normal VEMP was observed in all volunteers without SMR. Abnormal VEMP was recorded in 34% of the group with SMR. After treatment, abnormal VEMP was found in 80% of those with persistent neurologic abnormalities. VEMP is a functional test, and the alteration may precede image abnormalities. This procedure may be useful for early diagnosis of schistosomal cervical spinal cord involvement.

Author information

Author/s: Felipe, Lilian (L); Gonçalves, Denise Utsch (DU); Tavares, Maurício Campelo (MC); Sousa-Pereira, Sílvio Roberto (SR); Antunes, Carlos Maurício de Figueiredo (CM); Lambertucci, José Roberto (JR);

Affiliation: Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical e Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina e Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene (Am J Trop Med Hyg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 81 (issue 4) : pp 551-4

Dates: Created 2009/10/09; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19815864, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/27/2009, IMS Date: )

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