Physiopathology of peripheral non-Menière's vestibular disorders.

This paper reviews the physiopathological basis of some labyrinthine or vestibular nerve disorders illustrating a particular mode of vestibular dysfunction. The discovery of the physiopathology of these disorders has relied on neuroanatomical data, histopathological observations of human temporal bones, historical principles of vestibular physiology, surgical exploration, blood testing which provides indirect evidence of immune or metabolic disorders, and results from animal experiments. While all data are valid, advances in sensory cell physiology, development of new vestibular tests, and progress in imaging techniques are necessary in order for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in vestibular end organ dysfunction to be obtained.