[Vestibular function features and prognosis of vestibular neuritis in children].

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics, prognosis and affected branches of vestibular neuritis in children.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with vestibular neuritis in ENT department, Beijing Children's Hospital, from October 2015 to October 2016, were collected. All patients were 4-14 (mean 9.8) years old including 17 boys and 8 girls. The clinical manifestations history, pure tone audiometry (PTA), vestibular function tests were done for each patient. We also took the blood samples for pathogenic virus in order to analyze the premorbid risk factors.

Results

Rotational vertigo were complained by all presents. There were 17 cases (68%, 17/25) with nausea and vomiting and 19 cases (76%, 19/25) with balance dysfunction. There were 12 cases (60%, 12/20) with positive results in 20 blood samples for virology, among which 6 cases of influenza B virus and 4 cases of herpes simplex virus, 1 case of cytomegalovirus and 1 case of coxsackie were identified. The results of PTA were normal. Bithermal caloric test was abnormal in 22 cases (88%, 22/25). The ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) in 12 cases (48%, 12/25) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) in 5 cases (20%, 5/25) were abnormal. The bithermal caloric test along with oVEMP and cVEMP in 4 cases (16%, 4/25) were abnormal. The bithermal caloric test and oVEMP in 7 cases (28%, 7/25) were abnormal. The bithermal caloric test in 11 cases (44%, 11/25) were abnormal. The oVEMP in 1 cases (4%, 1/25) was abnormal. The cVEMP in 1 cases (4%, 1/25) was abnormal. All patients recovered well, but the time varied. The symptoms of 21 patients were complete recovery within 1 month. 3 patients were complete recovery within 2 months (aged 8 - 14 years old). One patient was complete recovery within 6 months (aged 13 years old).

Conclusion

Rotary vertigo is most commonly in children with vestibular neuritis, accompany with imbalance and vomiting. The vestibular neuritis in children might be related with upper respiratory tract infection. Audiometry test is normal. Because of the bithermal caloric test and oVEMP are obvious abnormality, therefore it is speculated that the superior vestibular nerve may most commonly be affected. The younger patients with vestibular neuritis recovered more quickly than the older children.