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Introduction
Vestibular neuritis, also known by the name vestibular neuronitis, is thought to be caused by
inflammation of the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve and classically presents
with vertigo, nausea, and gait imbalance. It is believed to be associated with preceding or
accompanying viral infection. It is considered a benign, self-limited condition that typically
lasts several days, but can take weeks to months for all vestibular symptoms to completely
resolve. Vestibular neuritis is a clinical diagnosis, and it’s the clinician's task to differentiate
this benign self-limiting disease from other central causes such as cerebrovascular
syndromes, which may share a similar history and physical exam findings. The mainstay in
medical treatment for vestibular neuritis is generally supportive, often consisting of
antiemetics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines.[1][2] Vestibular rehabilitation should start
once the initial bouts of nausea and vomiting are under control.[3]
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Etiology
Vestibular neuritis is believed to be an inflammatory disorder selectively affecting the
vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve. The cause is presumed to be of viral origin.[2]
Epidemiology
The data is lacking regarding the incidence of acute vestibular neuritis, but it is known to be
the third most common cause of peripheral vertigo following BPPV and Meniere disease.
Estimates are that acute vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis gets diagnosed in 6% of patients
who present to emergency departments in the USA the complaint of dizziness. This stat is
likely an under-representation of its true incidence as another 22% of the patients
complaining of dizziness are discharged without anything more specific than “dizziness” or
“vertigo.” A portion of these non-specific diagnoses likely includes actual cases of acute
vestibular neuritis.[1] It has no gender preference and usually affects those in their middle
ages.
Pathophysiology
Vestibular neuritis is believed to be an inflammatory disorder selectively affecting the
vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve. The cause is presumed to be of viral origin (e.g.,
the reactivation of latent HSV infection), but other causes of vascular etiology and
immunologic in origin are proposals. Vestibular damage appears to have a predilection for
the superior portion of the vestibular labyrinth (supplied by the superior division of the
vestibular nerve) over the inferior aspect of the vestibular labyrinth (supplied by the inferior
portion of the vestibular nerve). The underlying mechanism is unclear, but this phenomenon
may be explainable by anatomical differences between the two vestibular divisions.[3]
Treatment / Management
The treatment of vestibular neuritis usually consists of acute symptomatic treatment with
medications such as antiemetics (promethazine, metoclopramide), antihistamines
(diphenhydramine, meclizine), and benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam). Following the
acute phase, other therapies, such as vestibular rehabilitation, are often recommendations.
[8] The utilization of the above antiemetics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines should be
used for no more than three days or so as these medications can delay central compensation
and lead to chronic problems and recurrent vertigo.[3][8]
In the past, the use of corticosteroids has been a therapeutic option, but their efficacy remains
controversial. This therapy was studied in a 2011 Cochrane review, which found insufficient
evidence to recommend their use in those with acute vestibular dysfunction.[9]
The viral etiology hypothesis has led to the theoretical benefit from antiviral medications;
however, the use of valacyclovir either alone or combined with a glucocorticoid has not
been shown to be effective.[10]
Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis in patients presenting with vertigo can be broken down to that of
peripheral or central etiologies as well as those with or without hearing loss:
Peripheral Causes:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Presents with episodic vertigo
following predictable head movements that trigger symptoms. It is usually an acute
onset with a duration of seconds to minutes.
Meniere disease: Presents acutely with recurrent episodes of vertigo along with
sensory symptoms (e.g., ear fullness, tinnitus, low-frequency hearing loss). Symptoms
last minutes to hours.
Labyrinthitis: Presents with similar symptoms to vestibular neuritis but will also
include auditory symptoms such as unilateral hearing loss. Symptom duration lasts
days to weeks.[2]
Central Causes:
Vestibular migraine: Can present with central or peripheral signs/symptoms. Patients
will have a headache and will note recurrent episodes and must have a documented
diagnosis of migraine. Symptoms duration is minutes to hours.
Vertebrobasilar TIA: Patients will usually have vascular risk factors. Symptoms are
shorter and of acute onset. Symptoms duration is minutes to hours
Brainstem ischemia/infarct: Patients will often have vascular risk factors or a history
of trauma. There is commonly noted to be a constellation of neurological symptoms
along with vertigo present, known as a Wallenberg syndrome, which is an infarct of
the lateral medulla. The onset is acute, and the duration of symptoms is days to weeks.
Cerebellar infarct or hemorrhage - There are usually vascular risk factors or trauma
present. Symptom onset is acute, and the duration is days to weeks.[2] There are
typically associated neurological deficits present along with an abnormal HINTS
exam, truncal instability, headache, ipsilateral Horner syndrome, limb ataxia,
abnormal pupillary response, and other neurological abnormalities.
Hearing Loss Present:
Perilymphatic fistula
Cholesteatoma
Meniere disease
Labyrinthitis
Acoustic neuroma
Autoimmune processes
Psychogenic
Hearing Loss Absent:
Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo
Vertebral basilar insufficiency
Migraines
Vestibulopathy
Vestibular neuronitis
Central nervous system disorders
Lyme disease
Multiple sclerosis
Prognosis
The natural history of this disease is uncomplicated with complete resolution in most cases.
Some can have incomplete resolution and with a study showing 15% with persistent
symptoms at one year.[2] Recurrence of vestibular neuritis is infrequent, with studies that
have shown its recurrence in only 2 to 11% of patients.[11][12]
Complications
Two important complications associated with vestibular neuritis are benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo (BPPV) and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), a relatively
new term. Research has found that 10 to 15% of patients with vestibular neuritis will develop
BPPV in the affected ear within a few weeks.[11][12] PPPD is a new diagnostic syndrome of
non-spinning vertigo and unsteadiness, which combines significant features of chronic
subjective dizziness, phobic postural vertigo, and other related disorders.[13] One study
found PPPD in 25% of patients who were followed 3 to 12 months after acute or episodic
vestibular disorders.[14]
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References
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dizzy patient have a stroke? A systematic review of bedside diagnosis in acute vestibular
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18;341(21):1590-6.[PubMed]
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stroke in the acute vestibular syndrome: three-step bedside oculomotor examination more
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vestibular dysfunction (vestibular neuritis). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 May 11;
(5):CD008607. [PubMed]
10. Vroomen P. Methylprednisolone, valacyclovir, or both for vestibular neuritis. N Engl J
Med. 2004 Nov 25;351(22):2344-5; author reply 2344-5. [PubMed]
11. Kim YH, Kim KS, Kim KJ, Choi H, Choi JS, Hwang IK. Recurrence of vertigo in
patients with vestibular neuritis. Acta Otolaryngol. 2011 Nov;131(11):1172-7. [PubMed]
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13. Popkirov S, Staab JP, Stone J. Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD): a
common, characteristic and treatable cause of chronic dizziness. Pract Neurol. 2018
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Diagnostic criteria for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD): Consensus
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