Vestibular Neuritis in Patients Among Different Age Groups: Clinical Features and Outcomes

Clinical Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Acute Unilateral Vestibulopathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been identified as useful biomarkers for assessing the inflammatory response and for predicting the prognosis of various diseases. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance and effects on prognostic prediction of NLR and PLR in acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUV).

METHODS

We retrospectively recruited 128 patients who were diagnosed with AUV from July 2016 to April 2021, and compared NLR and PLR values between these patients with AUV and age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. We also analyzed the correlations of various clinical parameters with NLR and PLR.

RESULTS

NLR and PLR in the AUV group were 3.41±2.80 (mean±standard deviation) and 128.86±67.06, respectively, with only NLR being significantly higher than that in the control group (1.55±0.60, p<0.001). The gain asymmetry of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) was slightly larger in patients with high NLR (n=52) than in those with normal NLR (n=76) (41.9%±20.2% vs. 33.6%±17.4%, p=0.048). However, the hospitalization period, preceding infection, canal paresis, and absolute horizontal VOR gain did not differ between patients with high and normal NLR and PLR values. The correlation analyses also revealed that none of the clinical parameters were significantly correlated with NLR or PLR. At 3-month follow-up examinations, NLR and PLR did not differ significantly between patients with and without function recovery of the horizontal VOR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found a high NLR in AUV, suggesting an acute inflammatory status in the vestibular organ. However, the usefulness of NLR and PLR as prognostic markers remains unclear.

Objective Neurological Testing Methods Used to Follow Up Vestibular Neuritis Depending on Different Factors

Purpose

We analyze the impact of different factors on clinical performance and prognosis in vestibular neuritis (VN) and explore indicators that could accurately reflect changes in patients' symptoms at different stages.

Methods

We observed patients with VN during the acute and recovery phases. Clinical symptoms, vertigo-related scales, neurological examination, vestibular function tests (caloric test, video head impulse test (vHIT), vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP)), and the history of disease (underlying diseases, glucocorticoid therapy) were recorded at onset and at 4 and 12 weeks after onset in VN patients. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify vestibular function tests that had a linear regression relationship with the subjective quantitative results.

Results

At 4 weeks after onset, the group without underlying disease had better improvement in EEV, gain, and UW than the group with underlying disease (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the change in DHI, EEV, gain of the affected horizontal semicircular canal in the vHIT and unilateral weakness (UW) between the glucocorticoid treatment group and the no glucocorticoid treatment group (P < 0.05), and glucocorticoid treatment group was better. The change value in the gain of horizontal canals in the vHIT was mainly positively and linearly correlated with the EEV scores (P<0.001). Possible dynamic correlation between vHIT results and vestibular symptoms.

Conclusion

The absence of underlying disease and the receipt of glucocorticoid therapy significantly contributed to the improvement of objective vestibular function tests in the short term, while the improvement of subjective vertigo may correlate with the different objective measures and questionnaire. We believe that the improvement of the affected horizontal semicircular canal gain value in the vHIT can be used as a reference indicator of the degree of improvement of vestibular symptoms with superior vestibular neuritis.

Influence of Age and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Vestibular Neuritis: Retrospective Cohort Study

To analyze the influence of age and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in the evolution of vestibular neuritis (VN).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study. VN-diagnosed patients were included and divided into two groups: those with and without CVRFs. We analyzed the mean vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, measured through the video head impulse test (vHIT) at the diagnosis and one-year follow-up. We conducted a factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the effect of age, sex, and CVRFs in the mean VOR gain.

RESULTS

Sixty-three VN-diagnosed patients were included. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean VOR gain between both groups. However, in the subgroup analysis, there were statistically significant differences when comparing the mean VOR gain at the one-year follow-up between the group over 55 years of age 0.77 ± 0.20 and the group under 55 years 0.87 ± 0.15 (p = 0.036). Additionally, the factorial ANOVA demonstrated a significant main effect of age group on the mean VOR gain at the one-year follow-up (p = 0.018), and it also found a significant interaction between the factors of gender, age group, HTN (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

CVRFs do not independently affect the mean VOR gain in VN patients' follow-ups. However, age significantly impacts VOR gain in VN and could be modulated by gender and hypertension.

[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.

Determinants of functioning and health-related quality of life after vestibular stroke

Background

Stroke accounts for 5–10% of all presentations with acute vertigo and dizziness. The objective of the current study was to examine determinants of long-term functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a patient cohort with vestibular stroke.

Methods

Thirty-six patients (mean age: 66.1 years, 39% female) with an MRI-proven vestibular stroke were followed prospectively (mean time: 30.2 months) in the context of the EMVERT (EMergency VERTigo) cohort study at the Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich. The following scores were obtained once in the acute stage (<24 h of symptom onset) and once during long-term follow-up (preferably >1 year after stroke): European Quality of Life Scale-five dimensions-five levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) for HRQoL, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) for symptom severity, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for general functioning and disability. Anxiety state and trait were evaluated by STAI-S/STAI-T, and depression was evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Voxel-based lesion mapping was applied in normalized MRIs to analyze stroke volume and localization. Multiple linear regression models were calculated to determine predictors of functional outcome (DHI, EQ-VAS at follow-up).

Results

Mean DHI scores improved significantly from 45.0 in the acute stage to 18.1 at follow-up (p < 0.001), and mean mRS improved from 2.1 to 1.1 (p < 0.001). Mean HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L index/EQ-VAS) changed from 0.69/58.8 to 0.83/65.2 (p = 0.01/p = 0.11). Multiple linear regression models identified higher scores of STAI-T and DHI at the time of acute vestibular stroke and larger stroke volume as significant predictors for higher DHI at follow-up assessment. The effect of STAI-T was additionally enhanced in women. There was a significant effect of patient age on EQ-VAS, but not DHI during follow-up.

Conclusion

The average functional outcome of strokes with the chief complaint of vertigo and dizziness is favorable. The most relevant predictors for individual outcomes are the personal anxiety trait (especially in combination with the female sex), the initial symptom intensity, and lesion volume. These factors should be considered for therapeutic decisions both in the acute stage of stroke and during subsequent rehabilitation.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy and Corticosteroids for Vestibular Neuritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Objectives: Besides corticosteroids, clinicians found that vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) has a potential effect on vestibular neuritis (VN) improvement. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of both corticosteroid therapy (CT) compared to VRT, and each group compared to their combination (CT vs. (CT+VRT) and VRT vs. (CT + VRT). Materials and Methods: Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the administration of at least CT and VRT for VN. The outcome of interest was VN's subjective and objective improvement parameters. Results: Four RCTs involving a total of 182 patients with VN were eligible for systematic review and meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference (WMD) of canal paresis (objective parameter) in the CT group is significantly lower than in the VRT group after a 1 month follow-up (8.31; 95% CI: 0.29, -16.32; p = 0.04; fixed effect). Meanwhile, the WMD of Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) (subjective parameter) in the VRT group is significantly lower than in the CT group after a 1 month follow-up (-3.95; 95% CI: -7.69, -0.21; p = 0.04; fixed effect). Similarly, the WMD of DHI in the combination group (CT+VRT) is significantly lower than in the CT group after a 3 month follow-up (3.15; 95% CI: 1.50, 4.80; p = 0.0002; fixed effect). However, there is no significant difference in all outcomes after 12 months of follow-ups in all groups (CT vs. VRT, CT vs. combination, and VRT vs. combination). Conclusions: This study indicates that CT enhances the earlier canal paresis improvement, as the objective parameter, while VRT gives the earlier DHI score improvement, as the subjective parameter. However, their long-term efficacy does not appear to be different. VRT has to be offered as the primary option for patients with VN, and corticosteroids can be added to provide better recovery in the absence of its contraindication. However, whether to choose VRT, CT, or its combination should be tailored to the patient's condition. Future studies are still needed to revisit this issue, due to the small number of trials in this field. (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021220615).

The Pharmacological Treatment of Pediatric Vertigo

Vertigo in children is a challenging topic. The lack of dedicated trials, guidelines and papers causes inhomogeneity in the treatment of vertigo in children. Meniere’s disease, migraine equivalents, vestibular neuritis, paroxysmal positional benign vertigo (BPPV), persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) and motion sickness may affect children with various degrees of incidence and clinical severity compared to adults. Several drugs are proposed for the management of these conditions, even if their use is subordinated to the child’s age. In this review, we summarize the existing evidence related to the use of drugs for this clinical condition in children as a start point for new trials, stating the urgent need for international guidelines.

How Healthcare Utilization Due to Dizziness and Vertigo Differs Between Older and Younger Adults

Background

Vertigo and dizziness are common in older adults. We describe self-reported healthcare utilization because of dizziness and vertigo in older adults attending a tertiary care specialized vertigo center.

Methods

Data from 765 patients (45% were ≥60 years old) with chronic dizziness and vertigo who attended a daycare multimodal treatment program were recorded. Data included sociodemographic parameters, dizziness-related characteristics, the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ), the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Also, healthcare utilization, including (1) physician and clinical services, (2) hospitalizations in the year before consulting the vertigo center, (3) prescription of drugs and other professional services were included. Descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis, and regression models were used.

Results

Intensity of dizziness was similar in both age groups, however, distress due to dizziness was more severe in younger persons. Dizziness symptoms lasted longer in older adults than in younger persons. Older adults had a somatic diagnosis (74.6 vs. 35.0%) more frequently and reported more falls (37.2 vs. 28.5%) than younger individuals. Anxiety about bodily sensations was higher in younger patients (mean BSQ1 = 9.33 ± 5.6) than in older patients (mean BSQ1 = 6.72 ± 5.4). Older persons had fewer depressive symptoms (mean HADS depression = 5.8 ± 3.6 vs. 6.5 ± 4.1) and less anxiety (mean HADS anxiety = 5.7 ± 3.7 vs. 7.8 ± 4.1) than younger individuals. Younger people were more frequently hospitalized (24.4%) than older adults (16.3%) in the year before consulting the vertigo center. Also, younger patients and patients with non-somatic etiologies had considerably more consultations with healthcare providers than older patients. Older adults received less medication (50.3%), less physiotherapy (41%), and less psychological therapy (11.6%) for vertigo than younger people (59.7, 52.2, 20.4%, respectively).

Conclusion

Age-associated differences in healthcare utilization were defined in selected patients attending a specialized vertigo center. Since dizziness is frequently a heterogeneous disorder requiring interdisciplinary care, its diagnostic and therapeutic work-up must be improved for older patients with dizziness.

The Effect of Supervision in Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients with Acute or Chronic Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

The investigation of supervised vestibular rehabilitation treatment role for individuals with dizziness and imbalance due to peripheral, unilateral vestibular disorders.

DATABASES REVIEWED

Cochrane, PubMed, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were utilized to identify relevant studies.

METHODS

The key search terms used were "Vestibular Rehabilitation and Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction," "Vestibular Rehabilitation and Unilateral Vestibular Loss," and "Vestibular Rehabilitation and Supervision." A manual search was performed by exploring the references of included articles to identify studies not captured through the computer-based searches. The quality of the studies was assessed according to the PEDro scale. Inclusion criteria were: 1) studies with patients, aged from 18 to 80 years, with acute or chronic dizziness and disequilibrium due to unilateral vestibular dysfunction, 2) randomized control trials (RCTs), 3) studies comparing supervised vestibular rehabilitation program with an unsupervised vestibular rehabilitation program or home-based training or standard care or placebo, and 4) articles written in the English language. Studies reporting cases of vertigo and imbalance due to possible recurrent pathologies, acute benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or central neurological/orthopedic deficits, were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 448 articles were retrieved from the systematic database search strategy. Five of them were included in the systematic review after full-text analysis, plus one more after manual searching of their references. All studies involved supervised vestibular rehabilitation treatment programs compared with unsupervised home training, the performance of daily activities and, standard care. Based on PEDro's scoring system, one study rated as high-quality RCT, three studies were considered of fair quality and one scored as low-quality RCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most RCTs report better outcomes with a supervised vestibular rehabilitation treatment program regarding the emotional status, dizziness, and balance improvement, this systematic review failed to provide a strong evidence that supervision is superior to unsupervised protocols in patients with UNH. The self-reported subjective measures used by the included RCTs represent a serious limitation of their results.

Virtual and augmented reality in the vestibular rehabilitation of peripheral vestibular disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is an established treatment for patients with vestibular dysfunction. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can be utilised in vestibular rehabilitation. Evidence of the efficacy of VR and AR delivered rehabilitation in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders is reviewed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsychInfo, PsychBITE, OTSeeker, Ei Compendex, IEE, Clinical trials.gov and WebofScience databases were searched. Reduction in vestibular dysfunction symptoms 0-3 months post-intervention was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included long-term symptom improvement and side effects. Risk of bias assessment and meta analyses were planned. Five studies meeting eligibility criteria were included. Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores 0-3 months post-intervention were reported by four studies. Meta-analysis identified a 1.13 (95% CI, - 1.74, - 0.52) standardized mean difference reduction in DHI in VR and AR treated patients compared to controls. Side effects reported by two studies were reduced by week four of VR intervention. Bias assessment identified DHI scores and side effects to be at high risk or of some concern. Adjunct VR interventions reduced patient DHI significantly more than vestibular rehabilitation alone 0-3 months post-intervention in adult patients diagnosed with unilateral vestibular disease. High quality studies are needed.

Evaluation of Vestibular Function in Diagnosis of Vestibular Schwannomas

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors of the vestibular nerve. The common first symptoms are hearing loss and tinnitus, followed by imbalance, vertigo, and facial nerve involvement. The subjective symptoms of VS patients are not consistent with the severity of vestibular lesions and the results of vestibular tests, which often interfere with clinicians' diagnoses. Thus, the main screening and diagnostic methods for VS are audiometry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ignoring the evaluation of vestibular function at the source of pathological lesions. With the development and improvement of vestibular evaluation technology and its wide application in the clinic, modern vestibular examination technology can reflect the severity and frequency of vestibular lesions and compensation from multiple perspectives, providing an objective basis for the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular diseases. In this report, we review the results and characteristics of vestibular tests in VS patients and further clarify the clinical value of vestibular function assessment in the diagnosis and treatment of VS.