A Case of Bilateral Vestibulopathy Caused by Varicella-Zoster Meningitis

ABSTRACT

Among various etiologies of bilateral vestibulopathy, meningitis has rarely been reported and no case by varicella- zoster meningitis. We experienced a case of bilateral vestibulopathy and aseptic meningitis developed in a 22-year old woman who was previously affected by chicken pox. She had oscillopsia and unsteadiness of gait when the typical skin lesion of chicken pox was improving. Neurootologic examination, bithermal caloric irrigation, and rotary chair test showed the result compatible with complete bilateral vestibulopathy. With mild headache and nausea, her CSF finding revealed aseptic meningitis and the serum antibody for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was elevated. On the contrary of previous report that associated with bilateral vestibulopathy tend to poorly improved, this patient showed a favorable outcome with recovery of symptoms and caloric test.