Vestibular Neuronitis

Abstract

A number of syndromes have been described which are similar to vesti-bular neuronitis, all with vertigo as their chief symptom, in some the vestibular signs and symptoms have occurred alone, in some series evidence of epidemic nature was noted, in others neurological changes such as affection of the oculomotor nerve. By a follow-up of 60 cases of vestibular neuronitis it is shown to be a separate disease entity in which a certain diagnosis can be made. Statistics of age and sex incidence, of the number of attacks and their duration and severity are tabulated. A severe vestibular upset leads frequently to habituation. of one or both vestibular systems to stimuli producing an absence of caloric responses in an otherwise normal system. A similar form of habituation occurs in dancers and ice skaters and is associated with certain employments, thus when the caloric responses are depressed or absent a history covering these possible causes of habituation should be taken.