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• Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs, oVEMPs) in almost all cases of vestibular involvement can help both in diagnosis and in prognosis. • More research is needed to understand the applications of both c- and oVEMPs, especially the latter. • A significant percentage of published data have neglected one or more vital VEMP parameters. Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs respectively) are now used by an increasing number of laboratories to evaluate otolith inner ear function and their pathways through the central nervous system. However, the literature is incomplete or unclear as to what information both c- and oVEMPs can add beyond what a good clinical examination can provide, and what other paramedical tests can provide also, and the present review aims to clarify what is known so far. The following review will describe what is known with regards to both c- and oVEMPs and their use. MEDLINE (accessed by PubMed, years 1994–2018) was searched with the following string: ("vestibular evoked myogenic potentials" [all fields]). Only articles published in English were evaluated. Both c- and oVEMPs are useful not only for confirming the presence of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), but also for confirming the presence of acoustic neuromas when MRI is not available, bilateral vestibulopathies, inferior vestibular neuritis and vestibular dysfunction in inherited neuropathies. Further work is required, especially with respect to oVEMPs. The usefulness of both c- and oVEMPs goes beyond the confirmation of SSCDs, and is useful in many clinical cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Although the caloric test, rotational test, and posturography have been used to investigate balance function conventionally, and they are older than tests of otolithic organs, yet it seems that most clinicians are less familiar with the development of otolithic (saccular and utricular) function in children. This study reviewed the electrophysiological testing used to assess the functional development of the otolithic system in growing children. Methods Based on the literature, studies of cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) tests in children ranging from newborns, small children to adolescents were reviewed. Papers concerning foam posturography in children were also included. Results The cVEMPs can be elicited in newborns at day 5, whereas the oVEMPs are absent in neonatal period. When children grow to 2 years old, the oVEMPs can be induced with eyes closed condition, while the oVEMPs with eyes up condition can be elicited in children aged >3 years old, with the characteristic parameters similar to adult levels. In contrast with cVEMPs, it is until the neck length >15.3 cm (aldolesence), one need not account for neck length in evaluating cVEMP latency. Additionally, foam posturography indicated by the Romberg quotient of the sway velocity/area on foam pad is considered to reflect the otolithic function, which reached adult levels when the children at 12 years old. Conclusions For the functional development of the otolithic system in growing children to approach adult levels, the earliest occurrence is the oVEMP test, followed by the foam posturography, and cVEMP test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]