Does Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy Affect the cVEMP Responses in Children?

Background: Hypoxia associated with sleep-related respiratory disorders has been shown to impair vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses in adults. It was aimed to examine cervical VEMP (cVEMP) responses in pediatric patients with upper airway obstruction (UAO) due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and to reveal the possible effects of ATH on vestibular system–related brainstem functions.

Methods: In this prospective study, 33 patients aged 4-16 who had ATH and underwent surgical treatment were included. Patients’ severity of obstructive symptoms was classified according to the Brouilette scoring system as severe UAO group and moderate UAO group. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) values of the children who experienced surgery on the night before the operation were recorded and compared. Further, 30 healthy children were enrolled in the study as a control group. The groups were compared in terms of cVEMP responses.

Results: The mean values of p1–n1 amplitude (μV), one of the cVEMP responses, were 73.99 Å} 48.99 in the severe UAO group, 109.95 Å} 71.56 in the moderate UAO group, and 111.42 Å} 70.27 in the control group. It was significantly lower in severe UAO group than moderate UAO group (P = .027) and the control group (P = .015). The mean and minimum SaO2 values were statistically significantly lower in severe UAO group than moderate UAO group (both P < .001).

Conclusion: Significant alteration of cVEMP responses was found in children who had ATH with severe obstructive symptoms. This result may be indicative of possible damage of vestibular system–related brainstem functions in children with severe obstructive symptoms due to ATH. 

Cite this article as: Arslan E, Tulacı KG, .anak.ı H, Arslan S, Yazıcı H. Does adenotonsillar hypertrophy affect the cVEMP responses in children? B-ENT. 2025;21(2):74-79.