Enhanced otolithic function in semicircular canal dehiscence

Abstract

The enhanced sound- and vibration-induced vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and their lower threshold in patients with a thinning of the bony wall of the superior semicircular canal (superior canal dehiscence, SCD) have been interpreted as being due to the dehiscence allowing sound and vibration to activate, unusually, the receptors of the dehiscent semicircular canal. We report a patient with bilateral SCD, as verified by high resolution CT scans, who had bilaterally decreased superior semicircular canal function, as shown by rotational tests of canal function. This patient also showed enhanced VEMPs and reduced thresholds. We conclude that in this patient the enhanced VEMP responses are thus probably due to enhanced otolithic stimulation by sound and vibration after dehiscence.