Vestibular Neuritis in Patients Among Different Age Groups: Clinical Features and Outcomes

Vestibular neuritis (VN) is a common vestibular pathology. It is believed to occur due to a herpetic virus that effectively “shuts off” the tonic electrical resting activity on the affected side. Since the intensity of vertigo is influenced in part by the magnitude of the asymmetry, the vertigo accompanying VN is among the most severe.

The absence of accompanying auditory system symptoms helps to differentiate VN from Meniere's syndrome and the absence of headache helps differentiate VN from vestibular migraine. Lastly, since a neuritis can affect either or both the superior and inferior divisions of the vestibular divisions of the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII), both vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and video head impulse (vHIT) tests have helped audiologists localize further the locations of injury to the vestibular end organs and nerves.

With this as an introduction, the editors encourage you to read “Vestibular Neuritis in Patients Among Different Age Groups: Clinical Features and Outcomes” by Tao and colleagues. In their brief report, the investigators have attempted to determine whether there are significant differences in measures of vestibular impairment and dizziness disability handicap for VN patients with four age cohorts: adolescent, young adult, middle age, and seniors.

Among their findings, the authors reported a linear relationship between the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The authors also reported that all age groups benefitted from vestibular rehabilitation, with the adolescent subjects showing the greatest improvements.

The editors invite you to enjoy this issue of the journal.

Publication History

Article published online:
10 March 2021