Evaluation of audiovestibular functions in patients with posterior circulation cerebrovascular stroke

Abstract Background It has been found that 25% of posterior circulation stroke patients experience vertigo. Sudden hearing loss due to a vascular source is typically caused by infarction in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery territory. However, it is uncommon in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory infarction. Aim of the work The objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the function of the auditory and vestibular system in patients with posterior circulation cerebrovascular stroke. Methods Fifty patients with posterior circulation stroke, diagnosed by MRI at least 3 months after onset, were included. The controls consisted of fifty healthy people. The average age in cases was 58.68 ± 8.60 years, while in controls, it was 55.44 ± 11.72. The Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to conduct clinical assessments. All study groups were investigated using pure tone audiometry, auditory brain stem-evoked potential (ABR), videonystagmography (VNG), and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). Results MRI findings revealed that pontine infarction was the most frequent lesion in 36 (72%) patients. The latencies of ABR waves I, III, V, 1–III, I–V, and III–V were all considerably longer in cases than controls. Cervical VEMP P1 latency was considerably delayed in cases compared to controls, as the amplitude was lower. VNG data found abnormalities in all test parameters, indicating central disease. Conclusion Posterior circulation stroke causes acute sensorineural hearing loss with varying degrees. Videonystagmography is an accurate assessment of oculomotor function that can be combined with vestibular-evoked myogenic potential to objectively assess posterior circulation stroke patients.