• Mikael L-Å Karlberg and Måns Magnusson.
• Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital - Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. mikael.karlberg@skane.se
• Otol. Neurotol. 2011 Sep 1; 32 (7): 1140-3.

ObjectiveTo report the effects of glucocorticoid treatment of acute vestibular neuronitis on recovery of vestibular function and length of hospital stay.Study DesignProspective, consecutive case series compared with historic controls.SettingSecondary referral academic hospital.PatientsPatients with acute vestibular neuronitis. One group treated with glucocorticoids within 3 days after symptom onset (n = 33) and 2 historic untreated control groups (n = 41 and n = 67).InterventionsOral prednisolone 50 mg/d for 5 days with tapering of doses for the next 5 days, alternatively with intravenous betamethasone 8 mg on the first 1 to 2 days if nauseated.Main Outcome MeasuresExtent of unilateral vestibular paresis (%) in the caloric test at presentation and at 12 months of follow-up. Length of hospital stay (days).ResultsThe initial vestibular paresis value did not differ between the treatment group and the control group. At follow-up, the treatment group showed a lower value (22.8% versus 47.2%, p = 0.0003) and greater improvement (53.4% versus 35.6%, p = 0.002). At follow-up, 70% of the treatment group had a normal caloric test result compared to only 34% of the control group. The mean hospital stay of the treatment group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (1.8 versus 3.0 d, p = 0.001).ConclusionGlucocorticoids administered within 3 days after onset of vestibular neuronitis improves long-time recovery of vestibular function and reduces length of hospital stay.

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