Vestibular Neuritis as Clinical Presentation of COVID-19

Ear Nose Throat J. 2023 Mar;102(3):NP129-NP132. doi: 10.1177/0145561321995021. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to many otolaryngological disorders such as loss of smell and taste, sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), facial palsy, and parotitis. The involvement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vestibular neuritis (VN) has been reported in 2 adult patients but not really confirmed through objective testings. We present a case of a 13-year-old girl with left superior vestibular neuritis confirmed by Video Head Impulse Test during a proven COVID-19 infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case associating VN and COVID-19 that was demonstrated with an objective peripheral assessment. Physicians may be aware about the occurrence of VN in patients with COVID-19, keeping in mind that this condition may develop not only in adults. Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in this pandemic is required to prevent its spread.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy; vestibular neuritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Female
  • Head Impulse Test
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Smell
  • Vestibular Neuronitis* / diagnosis