[Correlation between parameters of suppression head impulse paradigm and changesin DHI score in acute vestibular neuritis].

Objective:To explore the correlation between the parameters of suppression head impulse paradigm（SHIMP） and changes in dizziness handicap inventory（DHI） scores. Additionally, to evaluate the degree of vertigo and prognosis of patients with acute vestibular neuritis through SHIMP parameters. Methods:Thirty-three patients with acute vestibular neuritis were enrolled for DHI evaluation, vHIT and SHIMP. A secondary DHI score were evaluated after after two weeks, once patients no longer exhibited spontaneous nystagmus. The decrease in the second DHI score was used as the efficacy index（EI）. All patients were divided into significantly effective group, effective group and ineffective group based on EI. Differences of the VOR gain values of SHIMP and the anti-compensatory saccade were compared among the three groups. Results:There were 13 cases in the significant effective group, 11 cases in the effective group, and 9 cases in the ineffective group. ①The mean gain of the horizontal semicircular canal in the significant effective group, the effective group, and the ineffective group was（0.50±0.11）, （0.44±0.12）, and（0.34±0.08）, respectively. The difference between the significant effective group and the ineffective group was statistically significant（P<0.01）. The gain of horizontal semicircular canal was positively correlated with EI（r=0.538 5, P<0.01） 。②The occurrence rate of the anti-compensatory saccade in the significant effective group, the effective group, and the ineffective group was（51.23±19.59）, （33.64±17.68）, and（13.78±11.81）, respectively. Pairwise comparisons between each group showed statistical significance（P<0.05）. The occurrence rate of anti-compensatory saccade was positively correlated with EI（r=0.658 2, P<0.01）. Conclusion:The horizontal semicircular canal gain and the occurrence rate of the anti-compensatory saccade in SHIMP for patients with acute vestibular neuritis were closely correlated with decrease in DHI score.

[Dynamic visual acuity screening test results analysis of 25 patients with peripheral vertigo].

Objective:To observe the results of dynamic visual acuity screening tests in patients with peripheral vertigo and explore its clinical significance. Methods:The number of 48 healthy volunteers were enrolled as control group and 25 peripheral vertigo patients as experimental group. In the experimental group, there are 12 patients with vestibular neuritis, 1 patient with Hunt syndrome, 5 patients with sudden deafness with vertigo and 7 patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction. Horizontal and vertical dynamic visual acuity screening tests were performed on them. The number of lost rows of horizontal and vertical dynamic visual acuity was compared between the control group and the experimental group to figure out if there is a statistical difference. The number of lost rows of horizontal and vertical dynamic visual acuity was compared within the experimental group to figure out if there is a statistical difference. The two groups of 18 cases of unilateral vestibular function decline and 7 cases of bilateral vestibular function decline in the experimental group were compared with the control group, and figure out if there is a statistical difference. Results:The median number of lost rows of horizontal dynamic visual acuity in 48 healthy volunteers was 1.5 and median number of lost rows of vertical dynamic visual acuity was 1.0 in the control group. The median number of lost rows of horizontal dynamic visual acuity of 26 healthy volunteers was 6 and median number of lost rows of vertical dynamic visual acuity was 5 in the experimental group. Compared to the experimental group, the number of lost rows both have statistical significance in horizontal and vertical dynamic visual acuity（P<0.01）. The comparison of horizontal and vertical lost rows within the test group also have statistical significance（P<0.01）. Twenty five patients with exceptional vestibular disease in the experimental group were divided into unilateral vestibular function reduction group（n=18） and bilateral vestibular function reduction group（n=7）. Compared with the control group, there was significant differences in the number of horizontal and vertical lost rows（P<0.01） within the three groups. After pairwise comparison, the number of lost rows of horizontal and vertical in the control group was significantly lower than that in the unilateral vestibular function reduction group and the bilateral vestibular function reduction group（P<0.01）. There was a highly significant correlation between the number of horizontally lost rows of DVA and the mean vHIT values of bilateral horizontal semicircular canals in 25 patients（P<0.01）; and a highly significant correlation between the number of vertically lost rows of DVA and the mean vHIT values of vertical semicircular canals in 4 groups bilaterally（P<0.01）. Conclusion:The Dynamic Visual Acuity Screening Test is a useful addition to existing tests of peripheral vestibular function, particularly the vHIT test, and provides a rapid assessment of the extent of 2 Hz VOR impairment in patients with reduced vestibular function.

[A comparative study of detection methods for assessing superior and inferior vestibular nerve damages in patients with vestibular neuritis].

Objective:This study aims to compare the examination results of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential（VEMP） and video head impulse testing（vHIT） in patients with vestibular neuritis（VN）, thus exploring the methods to distinguish superior and inferior vestibular nerve damages in VN patients, and their feasibility. Methods:A total of 25 patients with unilateral VN treated in the Otology Department of the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from May 2018 to July 2021 were recruited. They were respectively tested for ocular VEMP（oVEMP）, cervical VEMP（cVEMP） and vHIT, and the examination results were analyzed. Results:Examination results of oVEMP showed that 96%（24/25） patients had one-ear abnormalities with the amplitude decline or no waveform introduced, and 4%（1/25） patient had no waveform introduced of both ears. The overall abnormal rate examined by oVEMP was 100%（26/26）. Examination results of cVEMP showed that 36%（9/25） patients had one-ear abnormalities with the amplitude decline or no waveform introduced, and 4%（1/25） patients had no waveform introduced of both ears. The overall abnormal rate examined by cVEMP was 40%（10/25）, and 60%（15/25） patients had normal waveforms of both ears. Examination results of vHIT showed that 100%（25/25） patients had semicircular canal gain decline of one side, 92%（23/25） had anterior Semicircular canal decline of one side, and 36%（9/25） had posterior semicircular canal decline of one side. VEMP and vHIT results were compared. Examination results of VEMP showed that 60%（15/25） VN patients had superior vestibular nerve damage, and 40%（10/25） had both superior and inferior vestibular nerve damages. Examination results of vHIT showed that 64%（16/25） VN patients had superior vestibular nerve damage, and 36%（9/25） had both superior and inferior vestibular nerve damages. There was no significant difference in the ratio of VN patients with superior and inferior vestibular nerve damages examined by VEMP or vHIT（χ²=0.085, P>0.05）. The matching ratio of VEMP and vHIT results was 80%（20/25）, and the non-matching ratio was 20%（5/25）. Conclusion:Consistent results obtained from both VEMP and vHIT can preliminarily identify the type of vestibular nerve damage. If their results are not consistent, it is recommended not to identify the scope of the vestibular nerve damage.

Subjective visual horizontal correlates better with ocular than with cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between widely used otolith function tests: the Subjective Visual Horizontal (SVH) and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 301 patients who underwent SVH, ocular and cervical VEMP (oVEMP and cVEMP) tests on the same day. Correlations between the mean SVH tilt and amplitude asymmetry ratios for bone-conducted (BC) oVEMP and air-conducted (AC) cVEMP were examined. Diagnoses included vestibular neuritis, stroke, vestibular migraine, Meniere's disease, sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and vestibular schwannoma. RESULTS: SVH results were concordant with the oVEMP in 64% of cases and the cVEMP in 51%. Across all patients, SVH demonstrated a significant moderate correlation with BC oVEMP amplitude asymmetry ratios (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and a weak correlation with AC cVEMP amplitude asymmetry ratios (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). A stronger correlation between SVH and oVEMPs was observed in patients with vestibular neuritis (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) and SSNHL (r = 0.76, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SVH correlates better with oVEMP than cVEMP symmetry. SIGNIFICANCE: This finding reinforces the hypothesis of a common utricular origin for both SVH and oVEMPs which is distinct from the saccular origin of cVEMPs.

[Application of vestibular function examination in the analysis of damaged site in patients with acute vestibular neuritis].

Objective:To analyze the site of vestibular nerve damaged in patients with acute vestibular neuritis. Methods:Fifty-seven patients with acute vestibular neuritis were recruited, and each patient underwent caloric irrigation test, video head impulse test（vHIT） and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials（VEMPs）. The results were further analyzed. Results:Analysis of abnormal rates of different vestibular function tests: the abnormal rate of caloric irrigation test, horizontal semicircular canal vHIT, anterior semicircular canal vHIT, and posterior semicircular canal vHIT were 92.98%, 92.98%, 92.98%, and 52.63%, respectively. The abnormal rate of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials（cVEMP） and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials（oVEMP） were 52.63% and 89.47%. The abnormal rate of caloric irrigation test, horizontal semicircular canal vHIT, anterior semicircular canal vHIT, and oVEMP were significantly higher than posterior semicircular canal vHIT and cVEMP（P<0.01）. Combination analysis of different vestibular function tests: there are twenty-six patients（45.61%, superior and inferior vestibular nerve） with abnormal caloric irrigation test, video head impulse test, and VEMPs. There are twenty-five patients（43.86%, superior vestibular nerve） with abnormal caloric irrigation test, horizontal semicircular canal vHIT, anterior semicircular canal vHIT, and oVEMP. There are 4 patients（7.02%, inferior vestibular nerve） with abnormal posterior semicircular canal vHIT and cVEMP. There are two patients（3.51%, ampullary vestibular nerve） with abnormal caloric irrigation test, horizontal semicircular canal vHIT, and anterior semicircular canal vHIT. The rate of superior and inferior vestibular neuritis and superior vestibular neuritis were significantly higher than inferior vestibular neuritis and ampullary vestibular neuritis（P<0.01）. Conclusion:Acute vestibular neuritis subtypes can be divided into four categories: superior and inferior vestibular neuritis, superior vestibular neuritis, inferior vestibular neuritis, and ampullary vestibular neuritis. Video head impulse test can accurately assess the site of vestibular nerve damage in patients with acute vestibular neuritis. In addition, vHIT combined with VEMPs can provide objective evidence for the diagnosis of ampullary vestibular neuritis.

Long-term follow-up of patients with vestibular neuritis by caloric testing and directional preponderance calculation.

OBJECTIVES: This study focuses on the diagnostic precision of caloric testing in detecting vestibular neuritis (VN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 99 patients (36 men, 63 women, mean age: 44.63 years [Formula: see text] 12.08 SD) with superior VN were involved, and 157 participants with a normal functioning vestibular system were also investigated. All patients underwent a complete neurotological examination, including the caloric test with electronystagmography registration. The canal paresis (CP) and directional preponderance (DP) values were analysed. RESULTS: A VN on the right side was diagnosed in 31.3% and on the left side in 68.7%. When the CP parameters between the control and VN patients were contrasted, a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.00001*, Mann-Whitney U test), indicating higher values in the latter group. The prediction of VN based on the CP value was successful in 71%, and statistical analysis indicated a significant result [p < 0.0001*; OR: 5.730 (95% CI 3.301-9.948)]. The DP values were also significantly higher in the VN group (p < 0.00001*). The prediction of VN according to the DP value was successful in 69.8%. A significant result was also observed in this case [p < 0.001*; OR: 4.162 (95% CI 2.653-8.017)]. When both CP and DP were considered, a predictive value of 84.8% with a significant outcome [p < 0.0001*; OR: 82.7 (95% CI 28.4-241.03)] was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Including the CP and DP parameters of the caloric test, VN could be detected in around 85%. Therefore, the caloric helps diagnose the disorder, but both parameters must be considered.

Direction-changing spontaneous nystagmus in patients with dizziness.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the clinical features of patients with direction-changing spontaneous nystagmus (DCSN) and gain insight into its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Medical records and vestibular function test results collected in our dizziness clinic between February 2013 and February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Spontaneous nystagmus was recorded while sitting upright using videonystagmography for 2 min to confirm the spontaneous changes in nystagmus direction. Causative disease diagnoses were based on the patients' clinical history, audiometry results, vestibular function tests, and imaging studies. RESULTS: Of 4786 patients, DCSN was observed in 41 (0.86%). Causative disease diagnoses included vestibular neuritis (n = 9), lateral semicircular canal cupulopathy (n = 9), cerebellopontine angle tumor (n = 8), vestibular paroxysmia (n = 2), vestibular migraine (n = 2), vestibular nucleus infarction (n = 1), sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo (n = 2), Meniere's disease (n = 2), Ramsay Hunt syndrome (n = 1), labyrinthine fistula due to middle ear cholesteatoma (n = 1), lateral semicircular canal dysplasia (n = 1), post tympanomastoidectomy dizziness (n = 1), and head trauma (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Although the periodicity of DCSN could not be determined because of insufficiently long observation times, it was observed in various central and peripheral vestibulopathies. Careful examination of spontaneous nystagmus over a sufficient period may ensure the detection of DCSN when evaluating dizziness.

[The value of high intensity stimulation training of semicircular canal of SRM-â £ vertigo diagnosis and treatment system in the rehabilitation of vestibular neuritis].

Objective:To evaluate the value of high intensity stimulation training of semicircular canal of SRM-Ⅳ vertigo diagnosis and treatment system in the rehabilitation of vestibular neuritis. Methods:To analyze 68 patients with vestibular neuritis treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shijiazhuang People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, conduct spontaneous nystagmus and head toss test, and perform spontaneous nystagmus and rotation test of SRM-Ⅳvertigo system, compare the positive rate of the side of disease was between the two. To randomly divide 68 patients into treatment group 1, 2 and control group, the control group with drugs, treatment group 1 with drugs and vestibular rehabilitation training exercise, treatment group 2 with additional high intensity stimulation training of semicircular canal at one week after onset, on the basis of drug therapy and vestibular rehabilitation training exercise. At 2 weeks and 1 month, through swivel chair test negative rate, DHI score, compare the efficacy of the three groups. Results:Spontaneous nystagmus combined with head toss test confirmed 80.9% of the side of the disease, spontaneous nystagmus and rotation test of SRM-Ⅳ vertigo system confirmed 100%, the difference is statistically significant（P<0.05）. Compared with the control group and the treatment group 1, the negative conversion rate of the rotation test in the treatment group 2 at the second week and the first month of treatment, the difference is statistically significant（P<0.05, the second week χ²=6.474, the first month χ²=6.245）; the DHI score of treatment group 2 was statistically significant compared with that of control group and treatment group 1 at the second week and first month of treatment（P<0.05, the second week F=13.578, the first month F=28.599）. Conclusion:SRM-Ⅳ vertigo diagnosis and treatment system semicircular canal high intensity stimulation training has a certain role in the rehabilitation treatment of vestibular neuritis. It is simple to operate, patient tolerance and compliance are good, and it is worth promoting.

[Correlation between video head impulse test parameters and DHI score in patients with vestibular neuritis].

Objective:To explore the correlation between the parameters of video head impulse test （vHIT）and dizziness handicap inventory （DHI） score in patients with vestibular neuritis. Methods:Clinical data of 46 patients with vestibular neuritis were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent DHI evaluation and vHIT examination. They were divided into mild handicap group, moderate handicap group and severe handicap group according to DHI score. The correlations between the parameters of vHIT and DHI score were compared among the three groups. The important parameters of vHIT were compared including vestibulo-ocular reflex （VOR） gain, gain asymmetry ratio （GA）, abnormal saccade dispersion （PR%）. Results:Of the 46 patients, 10 were in the mild handicap group, 21 in the moderate handicap group, and 15 in the severe handicap group. ①In the comparison of the mean value of lateral semicircular canal VOR gain, the vHIT gain of patients with mild, moderate and severe handicap were 0.64±0.06, 0.53±0.11 and 0.37±0.10, respectively, the mean value of VOR gain was negatively correlated with DHI score among the three groups（r=-0.545, P<0.001）, and the pairwise comparisons among the three groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）. In comparison of the mean values of lateral semicircular canal GA, the GA values of mild, moderate and severe handicap groups were 46.40±21.81, 47.59±15.17 and 56.57±17.39, respectively, there was no significant linear correlation between GA values and DHI scores among the three groups（r=0.246, P>0.05）, there was no significant difference between the three groups（P>0.05）. In comparison of the mean PR% of the lateral semicircular canal, the mean PR% of patients with mild, moderate and severe handicap group were 32.00±10.62, 53.82±17.09 and 76.00±10.01, respectively, PR% was positively correlated with DHI score（r=0.726, P<0.001）, and the comparison among the three groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）. ②The vertical semicircular canal vHIT gain of patients with mild, moderate and severe handicap was 0.63±0.06, 0.52±0.15 and 0.38±0.16, respectively, the mean of VOR gain was negatively correlated with DHI score among the three groups（r=-0.487, P<0.01）, the comparison of mild-severe and moderate-severe group was statistically significant（P<0.05）, while there was no significant difference between the mild and moderate group（P>0.05）. In the comparison of the mean values of vertical semicircular canal GA, the GA values of mild, moderate and severe handicap groups were 40.40±15.31, 46.10±19.59 and 47.87±18.05, respectively, there was no significant linear correlation between GA values and DHI scores among the three groups（r=0.047, P>0.05）, there was no significant difference in GA among the three groups（P>0.05）. The PR% of patients with mild, moderate and severe handicap were 42.40±15.39, 54.14±17.60 and 64.93±10.95, respectively, there was a positive significant correlation between PR% and DHI score（r=0.454, P<0.05）, there was statistically significant in the comparison of mild-severe group（P<0.05）, while there was no statistical significance between the other groups（P>0.05）. Conclusion:The VOR gain and PR% value of vHIT in patients with vestibular neuritis are closely related to the DHI score, which can evaluate the vestibular function and the degree of vertigo.

Sindrome Vestibular Agudo posterior a la infección por SARS-COV2 / Acute Vestibular Syndrome after SARS-COV2 infection

Introducción: El Sars-CoV 2 puede afectar al nervio vestibulococlear debido a su neurotropismo. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo reportar el caso de un paciente con vértigo agudo posterior a la infección por COVID-19. Materiales y Métodos: Paciente masculino de 64 años que consultó por un ataque de vértigo agudo, de predominio en el lado izquierdo, quince días después de su convalecencia por una infección por COVID-19. Se realizaron estudios neurootológicos y de resonancia magnética. Resultados: La resonancia magnética descartó la presencia de lesiones que pudieran explicar las manifestaciones clínicas. A altas frecuencias, la audiometría tonal reveló una pérdida auditiva neurosensorial en ambos lados. vHIT (video Head Impulse Test) y VEMP cervical (potenciales miogénicos evocados vestibulares) mostraron afectación del lado izquierdo. Los VEMP oculares mostraron afectación bilateral. El paciente mejoró con rehabilitación vestibular, pero las manifestaciones de vHIT persistieron a los 6 y 12 meses. Discusión: El vértigo agudo en este paciente podría haber sido el resultado de una neuronitis vestibular, secundaria a la infección previa por Sars-CoV2. Sin embargo, no se deben descartar diferentes mecanismos virales directos

: Sars-CoV 2 may affect the vestibulocochlear nerve due to its neurotropism. This work aims to report the case of a patient with acute vertigo following COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods: A 64-year-old male patient consulted for an acute vertigo attack, predominantly to the left side, fifteen days after his convalescence due to a COVID-19 infection. Neuro-otological and MRI studies were carried out. Results: MRI ruled out the presence of lesions that could explain clinical manifestations. At high frequencies, tonal audiometry revealed a sensorineural hearing loss on both sides. vHIT (video Head Impulse Test) and cervical VEMP (Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials) showed left side involvement. Ocular VEMP showed bilateral involvement. The patient improved with vestibular rehabilitation, but vHIT manifestations persisted at 6 and 12 months. Discussion: Acute vertigo in this patient might have been the result of vestibular neuronitis, secondary to the previous Sars-CoV2 infection. However, different direct viral mechanisms should not be ruled out

[Analysis of the efficacy of different timing of vestibular rehabilitation interventions in the acute phase of vestibular neuritis].

Objective:To investigate the impact of time interval from symptoms onset to vestibular rehabilitation on the recovery of patients in the acute phase of vestibular neuritis. Methods:Thirty-one patients with vestibular neuritis treated in outpatient and inpatient settings from December 2019 to July 2021 were selected and randomly divided into vestibular rehabilitation group and general treatment group. The vestibular rehabilitation group was subdivided into early-intervention group （1-week after symptom onset） and late-intervention group （2-week after symptom onset） according to the interval from the onset to vestibular rehabilitation. The differences in DP, UW, VOR, DHI, BBS and SAS values at 1 month and 3 months after treatment were compared among early-intervention group（11 cases）, late-intervention group （10 cases） and general treatment group（10 cases）. Results:For patients in the vestibular rehabilitation group and the general treatment group, DP, UW, VOR gain, DHI score and SAS score were significantly different after treatment （ P<0.05） and no significant difference was found in BBS score （P>0.05 ）. Pairwise comparisons between early-intervention and late-intervention group showed that the DP, UW and VOR gain were significantly different （P<0.05）, while the score of DHI and SAS were not significantly different （P>0.05）. Conclusion:Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can accelerate vestibular compensation, relieve vertigo symptoms and anxiety symptoms in patients with vestibular neuritis. It is better to be carried out within 1 week after symptom onset.

Acute vestibular neuritis: A rare complication after the adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccine.

Vestibular neuritis was first reported in 1952 by Dix and Hallpike, and 30% of patients reporting a flu-like symptom before acquiring the disorder. The most common causes are viral infections, often resulting from systemic viral infections or bacterial labyrinthitis. Here we presented a rare case of acute vestibular neuritis after the adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccination. A 51-year-old male pilot awoke early in the morning with severe vertigo, nausea, and vomiting after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine 11 days ago. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test and chest CT scan were inconclusive for COVID-19 pneumonia. Significant findings were a severe spontaneous and constant true-whirling vertigo which worsened with head movement, horizontal-torsional spontaneous nystagmus, abnormal caloric test, positive bedside head impulse tests, and inability to tolerate head-thrust test. PTA, MRI of the brain and internal auditory canal, and cerebral CT arteriography were normal. According to the clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings, he was admitted to the neurology ward and received treatment for vestibular neuritis. His vertigo increased gradually over 6-8 h, peaking on the first day, and gradually subsided over 7 days. Ten days later, the symptoms became tolerable; the patient was discharged with advice for home-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Despite the proper treatment and rehabilitation, signs of dynamic vestibular imbalances persisted after 1 year. Based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, the Air Medical Council (AMC) suspended him from flight duties until receiving full recovery. Several cases of vestibular neuritis have been reported in the COVID-19 patients and after the COVID-19 vaccination. This is the first case report of acute vestibular neuritis after the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination in a healthy pilot without past medical history. However, the authors believe that this is a primary clinical suspicion that must be considered and confirmed after complete investigations.

[Correlation analysis of 3D-FLAIR MRI characteristics of the inner ear and vestibular function in the patients with vestibular neuritis].

Objective: The characteristics of 3D-FLAIR MRI images of the inner ear of patients with vestibular neuritis were preliminarily studied to explore the possible pathogenesis of vestibular neuritis, and the correlation analysis was conducted in combination with vestibular function to provide a basis for accurate diagnosis of vestibular neuritis. Methods: A total of 36 patients with vestibular neuritis (VN) from December 2019 to October 2020 were collected from the Vertigo Department of Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University. There were 36 cases (18 females, 18 males) with unilateral acute vestibular neuritis, 17 cases of left ear and 19 cases of right ear. According to the results of 3D-FLAIR MRI in the inner ears, the patients were divided into the enhanced group and the non-enhanced group (the health side served as the normal control group). The results of vestibular function examination in the two groups were compared. SPSS19.0 software was used for statistical processing to analyze the relationship between the vestibular function and the characteristics of 3D-FLAIR imaging in the inner ears. Results: Abnormal enhancement of 3D-FLAIR was found in 31 cases (86.1%) of the 36 cases, including 14 cases of both vestibular nerve and vestibular terminal organ enhancement, eight cases of superior vestibular nerve enhancement alone, seven cases of vestibular terminal organ enhancement alone, and two cases of cochlear enhancement alone. Observation of abnormal reinforcement of vestibular nerve showed: twenty-one cases of superior vestibular nerve reinforcement, one case of superior and inferior vestibular nerve reinforcement. No abnormalities were found in 3D-FLAIR of inner ear in 5 cases. According to the analysis of vestibular function results, there were 19 cases (52.8%) with total vestibular involvement, sixteen cases (44.4%) with superior vestibular involvement alone, and one case (2.8%) with inferior vestibular involvement alone. Comparison of vestibular function between the five cases (non-enhancement group) and the 31 cases (enhanced group) in the 3D-FLAIR group of the inner ears showed that the CP values of caloric tests in the enhanced group were higher (60.81±3.49 vs 34.12±7.37), with statistically significant difference (t=-2.898, P<0.01). Conclusion: In patients with vestibular neuritis, 3D-FLAIR MRI scan of the inner ear provides visual imaging evidence for clinical practice, considering that the lesion site of vestibular neuritis is not only in the vestibular nerve, but also in the vestibular end organ. Patients with 3D-FLAIR enhanced in the inner ear may have more significant vestibular function damage.

Clinical Reasoning: A 48-Year-Old Woman Presenting With Vertigo, Ptosis, and Red Eyes.

We describe acute vestibular syndrome in a 48-year-old woman with breast cancer who was finally found to have anti-Ma2-associated encephalitis. Although the initial diagnosis was vestibular neuritis elsewhere, progression of symptoms and additional findings of bilateral ptosis and circumlimbal injections, vertical saccadic slowing, and impaired convergence led to a suspicion of a rostral midbrain lesion and final diagnosis. The patient's symptoms and ocular motor signs improved markedly after administration of IV methylprednisolone and oral tacrolimus. Our patient again stresses the importance of scrutinized ocular motor evaluation for detection of central lesions even in patients with the clinical features of unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy.

[The clinical application of mobile internet remote guidance platform for vestibular rehabilitation].

Objective: To guide the patients with vertigo who are suitable for vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), and to evaluate the curative effect through a remote guidance platform based on mobile internet. Methods: Adult outpatients, who were diagnosed as vestibular disorders and required VRT, were selected and conducted baseline evaluation and formulated vestibular rehabilitation plan according to their symptoms, diagnosis and vestibular function examination results. These patients downloaded and installed the mobile internet remote guidance platform app for VRT, and then registered and uploaded medical records. According to the VRT plan formulated by clinicians for patients, the platform launched corresponding exercise guidance videos to guide them to complete 4-week VRT exercise at home. Before and after VRT, the patients were scored with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The rehabilitation effects were statistically analyzed by SigmaStat 4.0 software. Results: From October 2019 to October 2021, 233 patients with vertigo completed the registration of vestibular rehabilitation guidance platform, of whom 187 patients insisted on 4-week rehabilitation training and completed the scale evaluation. Among 187 patients, 65 were male and 122 were female; Age was (49.8±16.0) years; The medical history ranged from one to 192 months, with a median of eight months. Compared with that before rehabilitation exercise, the subjective feeling of vertigo in 170 patients was improved, and the overall effective rate was 90.9% (170/187). The subjective symptoms of vertigo were basically improved after rehabilitation training in patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction, vestibular neuritis, sudden deafness with vertigo, Hunt syndrome and acoustic neuroma. There were significant differences in ABC, DHI and SAS scores before and after VRT (P<0.05). Of those patients with Meniere's disease in the intermittent period and the patients with Meniere's disease who underwent surgical treatment, more than 90% of their subjective symptoms of vertigo or dizziness improved after VRT, and there were significant differences in the scores of ABC, DHI and SAS before and after VRT exercise (P<0.05). In patients with vestibular migraine, 36.7% (11/30) had no improvement or even aggravation of subjective symptoms of vertigo after VRT, however, the DHI score after rehabilitation exercise was lower than that before exercise, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction, although most (6/8) subjective symptom scores were improved compared with those before exercise, there was no significant difference in ABC, DHI and SAS scores before and after rehabilitation (P>0.05). Conclusion: VRT with the help of vestibular rehabilitation mobile internet remote guidance platform can effectively improve the subjective symptoms of vertigo, balance ability and anxiety in patients with unilateral vestibular lesions.

Pattern analysis of peripheral-vestibular deficits with machine learning using hierarchical clustering.

Background Disorders affecting the vestibular organs (semicircular canals, utriculus, sacculus), may result in distinct patterns of peripheral-vestibular loss that may facilitate the diagnostic assessment. When neuropathological tests of these sensors are available, it is possible to classify responses as being due to different deficit types. Objective To provide a topical review and to summarize recent advances in pattern-recognition of unilateral and bilateral vestibular disease by use of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) as published by the authors. Hypothesis We propose that certain patterns of peripheral-vestibular loss are associated with specific underlying disorders and that HCA is a suitable approach to identify such patterns. Discussion In the studies reviewed, disease-specific patterns could be recognized in different patient cohorts, with anterior-canal sparing being a hallmark feature in aminoglycoside-related bilateral vestibulopathy, Menière's disease and vestibular Schwannoma. The reasons for such anterior-canal sparing remain subject to debate, but potential explanations include reduced toxic exposure, faster recovery and lower vulnerability of the anterior canals. The pattern observed in acute superior-branch vestibular neuropathy, i.e., involvement of the horizontal and anterior canal and the utricle, matches neural inner-ear physiology. The broadly varying extent of damage to the different vestibular sensors even within given disorders underlines the necessity for detailed vestibular-testing. Conclusion HCA significantly facilitates pattern-identification in unilateral and bilateral vestibulopathies and underlines the extensive range of vestibular end-organ damage in the different study populations and subgroups. The large number of existing clustering algorithms with distinct strengths and weaknesses emphasizes the need for careful selection of the most suitable algorithm.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in superior vestibular neuritis: A cross-sectional study following STROBE guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in patients with superior vestibular neuritis (SVN) versus the general French population, and to examine the possibility of vascular etiology in acute superior vestibular deficit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study compared the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation between patients with SVN and the French general population. Inclusion criteria comprised: rotatory vertigo lasting several days, without hearing impairment or neurological signs, with anterior and lateral semicircular canal involvement on video-Head-Impulse-Test (vHIT). A senior radiologist analyzed superior vestibular nerve and inner ear structure enhancement on cerebellopontine MRI. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen cases of SVN were included from May 2016 to February 2020. Statistical analyses concerned 106 cases. The SVN population had significantly less hypercholesterolemia (RR=0.40) than the general French population. There was no significant difference concerning other CVRFs. Superior vestibular nerve enhancement was observed on 84% of MRIs. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of CVRF was not higher in patients with SVN than in the general population. The present study highlighted involvement of the superior vestibular nerve more than of the anterior vestibular artery in SVN.

Vestibular neuronitis in a vestibular schwannoma patient.

This is a unique presentation of an acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) caused by vestibular neuronitis (VN) of a vestibular nerve (CNVIII) already affected by vestibular schwannoma (VS). A 48-year-old patient, formerly diagnosed with an intracanalicular VS, presented with AVS. The patient underwent clinical and neurotological examination including video Head Impulse Test and a 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MRI using intravenous gadolinium. Clinical and neurotological findings were consistent with VN of the CNVIII formerly diagnosed with VS. A 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MRI showed significant enhancement of the labyrinth also indicating VN of the same nerve affected by VS. Pragmatic corticosteroid therapy and vestibular exercises were applied resulting in satisfactory recovery of the patient. As vestibular symptoms are common in VS patients, investigating another cause of dizziness and vertigo in VS patients can be marginalized. Nevertheless, VS presenting as AVS is very unusual. VN should not be overlooked as a possible cause of acute vertigo in a patient previously diagnosed with VS.

Clinical value of the video head impulse test in patients with vestibular neuritis: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical application potential of the video head impulse test (vHIT) in diagnosing vestibular neuritis (VN). METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: Embase, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Google scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Clinical studies were included in which an evaluation was made using vHIT either alone or in combination with other tests or bedside algorithms. Evaluations that were carried out using unvalidated tools were excluded. Only studies of patients with VN (superior, inferior, or in toto) were included. Screening of titles, abstracts, full texts, and data extraction were undertaken independently by pairs of reviewers. Included studies were quality appraised using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Results were reported according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Our search yielded 1309 unique records, 21 of which remained after screening titles and abstracts. Sixteen studies were included, i.e., for a total of 933 patients including 474 patients with a diagnosis of VN. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of vHIT is high for VN, as it is a high-frequency measurement tool. vHIT is a useful complement or alternative to caloric and rotational tests as an indicator of lesions of vestibular canal functioning, especially at the time of onset. This tool can provide useful clues about the clinical progress of recovery from the lesion through the value of the vestibulo ocular reflex gain and the consequent evolution of the saccade pattern, which allows the patient to stabilize vision on the retina.

[Analysis of high frequency semicircular canal function test in patients with unilateral vestibular neuronitis in the acute phase].

Objective:To analyze results obtained from high frequency semicircular canal function test in patients with unilateral vestibular neuronitis in the acute phase, aiming to provide references for clinical vestibular rehabilitation. Methods:A total of 49 patients with unilateral vestibular neuronitis in the acute phase were enrolled in this study. They were subjected to video head impulse test（vHIT） and vestibular autorotation test（VAT）. Test results were analyzed in detail. Results:vHIT results showed that 100% of patients presented a lower lateral horizontal semicircular canal gain than normal control, 93.88% presented a lower anterior semicircular canal gain, and 22.45% presented a lower posterior semicircular canal gain. VAT results showed: ①81.63%（40/49） of patients had a decline of horizonal VAT gain,83.67% （41/49） had an abnormal horizonal phase shift, and 63.27%（31/49） had an abnormal horizontal symmetry. ②32.65% （16/49） of patients had a decline of vertical VAT gain, and 16.33%（8/49） had abnormal vertical phase shift. Comparison results between vHIT and VAT data showed: ①There is a statistical difference between the rate of abnormal decline of vHIT horizonal semicircular canal gain and that of abnormal decline of VAT gain（P<0.01）. There is a statistical difference between the rate of abnormal decline of vHIT anterior semicircular canal gain and that of abnormal decline of vertical VAT gain（P<0.01）. No significant difference was found between the rate of abnormal decline of vHIT posterior semicircular canal gain and that of abnormal decline of vertical VAT gain（P>0.05）. ②100% of patients presented a lower vHIT lateral horizontal semicircular canal gain than normal one, and 63.27% of patients had an abnormal VAT horizontal symmetry, which was statistically significant（P<0.01）. ③The rate of abnormal decline of vertical VAT gain was 63.64% in patients with all declines of vHIT lateral horizontal, anterior and posterior semicircular canal gain, which was 23.68% in patients with declines of vHIT lateral horizontal and anterior semicircular canal gain. The difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion:vHIT is superior to VAT in the high-frequency semicircular canal function test of unilateral vestibular neuronitis patients in the acute phase. VAT can be used as an important supplement, and the combination of vHIT and VAT can more accurately guide the vestibular rehabilitation.