Vestibulary rehabilitation--election treatment method for compensating vestibular impairment.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to reveal the actual benefit of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) in patients with unilateral vestibular loss.

PATIENT AND

METHODS

Case report of a young female patient with acute unilateral vestibular loss due to facial nerve schwannoma developed above the internal auditory canal (IAC) from where it seems to have entered the IAC. Betahistine associated to VR treatment was recommended due to persisting imbalance after tumor removal. The benefit of the combined therapy was evaluated objectively (sensory organization test) and subjectively (questionnaires regarding self-perception of the deficit in quality of life).

RESULTS

Both evaluations revealed great improvement in stability (SOT scores) as well as in health-related quality of life (HRQoL)--improvement of self-perception scores of disequilibrium in all questionnaires used.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined recommended treatment (betahistine and VR) improves HRQoL after acute unilateral vestibular loss. It reduces self-perceived disability and intensity of symptoms during usual activities.