Diagnostic criteria for vestibular neuritis

Abstract

The authors introduced the diagnostic criteria recently revised by the Japan Society for Equilibrium Research. In addition, several issues related to diagnosis of vestibular neuritis were discussed. Firstly, partial involvement of the vestibular nerve was discussed. Conventionally, in order to prove peripheral vestibular disorders, caloric tests have been used. However, caloric tests cannot clarify disorders of the inferior vestibular nerve with preservation of the superior vestibular nerve function. If inferior vestibular neuritis is recognized as a kind of vestibular neuritis, the diagnostic criteria need further revision. Additionally, the head impulse test should be considered as a new diagnostic tool for vestibular neuritis. Secondly, the authors stated that "vestibular neuritis" could include vestibular neurolabyrinthitis and vestibular labyrinthitis in addition to vestibular neuritis as the current diagnostic criteria do not require differentiation of retro-labyrinthine lesions from labyrinthine lesions. Thirdly, the number of vertigo attack was discussed. Vertigo associated with vestibular neuritis should not strictly occur as a single episode, but rather as several attacks. Finally, the authors stated that "vestibular neuritis" should be changed to another term in order to express its actual states.