Residual Symptom in Vestibular Neuronitis

• Published in: Equilibrium Research Vol. 51; no. Suppl-8; pp. 143 - 147
• Main Authors: Tokumasu, Koji, Fujino, Akito, Yoshio, Satoshi, Goto, Kazuyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Society for Equilibrium Research 1992
• Subjects: ADL; central vestibular compensation; dizziness and unsteadiness during quring quick motion; physical exercise; vestibular neuronitis
• ISSN: 0385-5716; 1882-577X
• DOI: 10.3757/jser.51.Suppl-8_143

Vestibular neuronitis is a peripheral vestibular disease of unknown etiology, in which severe vertigo attacks associated with disequilibrium usually start without any cochlear signs such as tinnitus or deafness after acute upper respiratory inflammation. It is generally accepted that the disease has a good prognosis beacause both subjective sensation and objective disequilibrium gradually improve and no recurrence of attacks is noticed. However, some patients complain of a transient dizzy sensation induced by quick body motion and disequilibrium during standing or walking, especially in darkness, a long time after the onset. Follow-up studies were carried out in six patients with vestibular neuronitis for 1 to 2 years after the beginning of the disease. Canal paresis was revealed by caloric tests in all six, it was bilateral in one. Five had transient diz-ziness and or unsteadiness during quick body movements 1 to 2 years after the onset of the disease. ENG studies revealed spontaneous nys-tagmus with eyes closed in two patients more than 2 years after the onset. The residual symptoms of dizziness and disequilibrium during body motion in vestibular neuronitis were assumed to be caused by prolonged failure in the acquisition of central vestibular compensation. Physical exercises were ordered in 2 patients, but complete recovery was not achieved. Disturvance of activities of daily living (ADL) are also discussed.