On cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing, a patient shows a well-preserved P1-N1 amplitude but markedly prolonged P1 latency compared with age-matched norms. This pattern is most consistent with:

• A Saccular end-organ hypofunction
• B Cochlear outer hair cell dysfunction
• C Conduction delay along the vestibular nerve or vestibulospinal pathway ✓
• D Excessive sternocleidomastoid tone during recording

Explanation

cVEMP normative latencies are roughly P1 near 13 milliseconds and N1 near 23 milliseconds. Reduced amplitude with normal latency suggests end-organ (saccular) hypofunction, while delayed latencies with preserved amplitude indicate slowed conduction, classically seen in retro-labyrinthine lesions such as vestibular schwannoma compressing the eighth nerve. Amplitude alone reflects myogenic response strength, so a preserved amplitude argues against severe end-organ loss.

Reference: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.