Vestibular neuronitis in aged patients: results from an epidemiological survey by questionnaire in Japan.

An epidemiological survey of vestibular neuronitis in Japan was done using a questionnaire. Answer sheets were obtained from 619 patients with vestibular neuronitis. In order to evaluate data from aged patients, 74 cases were singled out. The following results were obtained: i) There was no sexual difference and no laterality of affected side; ii) There was no case of bilateral vestibular neuronitis; iii) Ten cases were reported as recurrent. Aged patients had a relatively high rate of recurrence; iv) About 10% of 74 cases had had an upper respiratory tract infection, and this rate was lower than that for patients under 65 years of age; v) Thirty-five cases had complications. Hypertension was the most common complication; vi) The caloric test was re-used in 28 cases. The continued existence of caloric CP was observed in 23 cases upon re-examination.