Vertigo and autoimmunity

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2010 Jan;267(1):13-9. doi: 10.1007/s00405-009-1122-5. Epub 2009 Oct 16.

Abstract

Autoimmune inner ear disease probably accounts for less than 1% of all cases of balance disorders, but its incidence is often overlooked due to the absence of a specific diagnostic test. Furthermore, in several systemic autoimmune diseases the vestibulo-cochlear system may be affected. Clinical features comprise generalized imbalance, ataxia, motion intolerance, episodic vertigo and positional vertigo. An autoimmune mechanism seems to be responsible for 6% of unilateral and 16% of bilateral forms of Ménière's disease. Oscillopsia and disequilibrium secondary to a bilateral vestibular paresis are probably caused by an autoimmune response in 5% of cases. Balance disorders of central origin may be due to other immuno-mediated disorders such as multiple sclerosis, brainstem encephalitis and vasculitidis. Aim of this paper is to assess the clinical features of autoimmune vertigo disorders through a systematic literature review.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmunity*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Otological
  • Ear, Inner*
  • Humans
  • Meniere Disease / complications*
  • Meniere Disease / diagnosis
  • Meniere Disease / immunology
  • Vertigo / diagnosis
  • Vertigo / etiology
  • Vertigo / immunology*