Prolonged dysequilibrium in three cases with vestibular neuronitis: efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation.

The clinical course of acute unilateral vestibular disturbance in 3 cases with vestibular neuronitis and a case with labyrinthine destruction was surveyed for a long-term period. Vestibular training with a modified Cawthorne-Cooksey's exercise was done in 2 of 3 cases with vestibular neuronitis and a case of labyrinthine destruction. All had no severe troubles in activities of their daily lives over one year after the onset of the disease, but the central compensation was not completed, even in a young patient, in a case of labyrinthine destruction and in a well trained case. Spontaneous nystagmus to the affected side and increase of body sway with eyes closed were revealed by examinations in all cases. Physical exercise was found to be effective for relief from vestibular ataxia, but it was difficult to keep the effect even after training.