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. 2014:2014:459048.
doi: 10.1155/2014/459048. Epub 2014 Jan 15.

Is vestibular neuritis an immune related vestibular neuropathy inducing vertigo?

A Greco  1 , G F Macri  1 , A Gallo  1 , M Fusconi  1 , A De Virgilio  1 , G Pagliuca  1 , C Marinelli  1 , M de Vincentiis  1
Affiliations

Is vestibular neuritis an immune related vestibular neuropathy inducing vertigo?

A Greco et al. J Immunol Res. 2014.

Abstract

Objectives: To review the current knowledge of the aetiology of vestibular neuritis including viral infections, vascular occlusion, and immunomediated mechanisms and to discuss the pathogenesis with relevance to pharmacotherapy.

Systematic review methodology: Relevant publications on the aetiology and treatment of vestibular neuritis from 1909 to 2013 were analysed.

Results and conclusions: Vestibular neuritis is the second most common cause of peripheral vestibular vertigo and is due to a sudden unilateral loss of vestibular function. Vestibular neuronitis is a disorder thought to represent the vestibular-nerve equivalent of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Histopathological studies of patients who died from unrelated clinical problems have demonstrated degeneration of the superior vestibular nerve. The characteristic signs and symptoms include sudden and prolonged vertigo, the absence of auditory symptoms, and the absence of other neurological symptoms. The aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition remain unknown. Proposed theories of causation include viral infections, vascular occlusion, and immunomediated mechanisms. The management of vestibular neuritis involves symptomatic treatment with antivertiginous drugs, causal treatment with corticosteroids, and physical therapy. Antiviral agents did not improve the outcomes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) (MRI-T2 image) Fascicular and nuclear lesion of the vestibular nerve due to a multiple sclerosis plaque mimicking vestibular neuritis. (b) (MRI-T2 image) Fascicular and nuclear lesion of the vestibular nerve due to a vascular lesion mimicking vestibular neuritis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) schematic drawing of vestibular and facial nerves. Different section of vestibular ganglion (a) sterm, (b) inferior portion, and (c) superior portion. (B) Longitudinal section of human vestibular ganglion (a) sterm, (b) inferior portion, and (c) superior portion. Using polymerase chain reaction, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) DNA was found in 60% of the human esamine ganglia (from Arbusow et al.).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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