ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of vestibular neuronitis in vertigo patients at a tertiary public health care facility in Karachi Pakistan. It is an epidemiological study conducted at Ear Nose Throat, Head and Neck Surgery Department Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The study duration was from Jan 2007 to Dec 2009. The exclusion criteria included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, other cranial nerves deficits, multidirectional non fatiguing nystagmus, long term medication, Truncal ataxia, inflamed tympanic membrane, mastoid tenderness, high grade fever, and nuchal rigidity. Diagnosis of Vestibular Neuronitis [VN] was made on clinical findings. Patients with sudden onset of vertigo with nausea or vomiting, Clinical signs of unsteadiness, Spontaneous and horizontal nystagmus, Absence of other neurological signs and normal otoscopy and normal hearing were included in the study. Four hundred fifty seven patients reported with vertigo. One hundred sixty five were diagnosed as VN and were enrolled for the study. It was found that patients of VN were increasing yearly; younger male population was found to suffer more than others. Highest incidence was between the age group 16 to 30 years. More patients reported during the months of July - August and March - April every year during the change of season i.e. summer to winter or winter to summer. Vestibular Neuronitis was found more in males than females. Younger population was found to suffer more. Peak incidence was noted during the months of July - August every year. Incidence of VN in younger males and during July - August needs more investigation