Vestibular neuronitis in aged patients: results from an epidemiological survey by questionnaire in Japan.

ABSTRACT

An epidemiological survey of vestibular neuronitis in Japan was done using a questionnaire. Answer sheets were obtained from 619 patients with vestibular neuronitis. In order to evaluate data from aged patients, 74 cases were singled out. The following results were obtained i) There was no sexual difference and no laterality of affected side; ii) There was no case of bilateral vestibular neuronitis; iii) Ten cases were reported as recurrent. Aged patients had a relatively high rate of recurrence; iv) About 10% of 74 cases had had an upper respiratory tract infection, and this rate was lower than that for patients under 65 years of age; v) Thirty-five cases had complications. Hypertension was the most common complication; vi) The caloric test was re-used in 28 cases. The continued existence of caloric CP was observed in 23 cases upon re-examination.