Prodromal dizziness in vestibular neuritis: frequency and clinical implication

Abstract

Although vestibular neuritis (VN) usually includes a single attack of prolonged vertigo (lasting more than 1 day), we have previously observed several patients with VN who experienced paroxysmal dizziness prior to onset of the continuous dizziness typical for VN. Since vertebrobasilar territory strokes may also be heralded by recurrent isolated dizziness (usually vertigo), there exists the possibility of diagnostic confusion between VN and stroke-related vertigo. We thus sought to characterise the features of transient dizziness prior to the prolonged vertigo attack of VN.