Peripheral vestibular disorders: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an update on the most frequent peripheral vestibular disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS: The on-going classification of vestibular disorders by the Bárány Society represents major progress. The diagnosis of bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) requires quantitative testing of vestibular function. 'Acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy' (AUPVP) is now preferred over 'vestibular neuritis.' Menière's disease is a set of disorders with a significant genetic contribution. The apogeotropic variant of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (hcBPPV) and anterior canal BPPV (acBPPV) can be distinguished from a central vestibular lesion. Vestibular paroxysmia is now an internationally accepted clinical entity. The diagnosis of SCDS is based on conclusive findings.

SUMMARY: Diagnosis of BVP requires significantly reduced vestibular function. The clinical picture of AUPVP depends on how much the vestibular end organs or their innervation are affected. Menière's disease phenotype is a constellation of symptoms. Although diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for pc and hcBPPV are well defined, a number of less frequent and controversial are increasingly diagnosed and can be treated. Diagnosis of vestibular paroxysmia requires that a patient responds to treatment with a sodium channel blocker. The diagnosis of SCDS requires conclusive findings with various methods. There is still a great need for state-of-the-art randomized controlled treatment trials in most peripheral vestibular disorders.