Preservation of the saccular nerve and of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential during vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Objective: The aim of the study was to present a case report demonstrating that vestibular evoked myogenic potentials originate from the saccular nerve.
Study Design: Retrospective case review.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Intervention: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials are shown before and after operation in a patient with a surgically confirmed superior vestibular schwannoma (1.3 cm).
Main Outcome Measures: Preoperative and postoperative audiometry, auditory brainstem response, caloric test, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and magnetic resonance imaging outcomes. RESULTS On preoperative audiometry, slight sensorineural hearing loss with normal auditory brainstem response could be detected. Caloric tests showed a reduced response of the right labyrinth. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were normal. The tumor was removed via a combined retrosigmoid and partial labyrinthectomy approach with the removal of the posterior semicircular canal. The facial, auditory, and inferior semicircular nerves were anatomically preserved. Postoperative audiometry revealed preservation of hearing and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; caloric responses were now absent.
Conclusion: The combined retrosigmoid and partial labyrinthectomy approach represents an ideal condition to study the influence of the saccular nerve on the origin of the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. The maintenance of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential responses in our patient supports the concept that the vestibular evoked myogenic potential originates in the saccule and is transmitted in the saccular nerve.