Corticosteroids effect on vestibular neuritis symptom relief

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Vestibular neuritis is the second most frequent cause of peripheral vertigo. Adding corticosteroids to symptomatic treatment regimen is effective in shortening the symptomatic period of vestibular neuritis but there are controversies on administration of corticosteroids for this condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the corticosteroids effect on vestibular neuritis symptom relief.

METHODS:

In this double blind placebo controlled clinical trial on 40 patients with vestibular neuritis who presented at Hamedan Sina Hospital neurology ward, all subjects signed an informed consent. The participitants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=20) and control group (n=20). The intervention group received dimenhydrinate 50 mg bid as well as dexamethasone 6mg tid for three days. Controls received deminhidrinate 50 mg bid plus placebo for three days. At 24, 48, and 72 hour the result of Caloric test and patients symptom were recorded.

RESULTS:

The mean duration of symptom relief had significant difference in two groups. At 24 hour of initiation of therapy vertigo, nystagmus and nausea were relived in 5, 16, 17 of intervention group and in 1, 5, 2 of control group, respectively (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Corticosteroids are effective in shortening the symptomatic period of vestibular neuritis.