Isolated Vestibular Areflexia after Blunt Head Trauma

Abstract

The sudden unilateral loss of vestibular function is a frequent cause of vertigo. This condition is called vestibular neuronitis or vestibular neuritis. Its cause remains unknown, but many authors consider it to be a sequel of vestibular viral infection. We report the history and clinical findings of 5 patients in whom a unilateral vestibular loss occurred after head trauma. None of these patients complained of hearing loss. In all cases, the vertigo gradually subsided over days or weeks. The follow-up showed the partial recovery of vestibular function in 2 cases, while vestibular areflexia persisted in 3. The clinical course and findings were similar in every respect to those in patients with classic idiopathic vestibular neuronitis.

Keywords

etiology head trauma vertigo vestibular compensation vestibular neuritis vestibular neuronitis

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