Vestibular neuronitis

Broadly speaking, vestibular neuronitis is probably a heterogenous conglomerate of a number of entities that are awaiting improved diagnostic methods for further classification. The type of vestibular neuronitis characterized by a single severe episode of vertigo is probably one such separable entity for which Hart's terminology, 'sudden vestibular paralysis', is preferred. The otologist's attention is directed toward two possible variants of vestibular neuronitis in the pediatric population, benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood and paroxysmal torticollis in infancy. The features of vestibular neuronitis may be summarized as follows: vertigo, usually sudden and severe, with single or multiple episodes; spontaneous nystagmus toward the normal ear; unimpaired hearing; reduced caloric excitability on the diseased side; a course averaging six weeks; and the highest incidence in the third and fifth decades with no sex discrimination.