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Bilateral vestibulopathy treatment: update and future directions

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 32, pages 83–92 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Bilateral vestibulopathy or BVH is a disorder of both labyrinths and/or vestibular nerves which have various etiologies. BVH is most often a chronic condition in which patients can suffer from blurred vision (oscillopsia), impaired spatial orientation and postural instability. Moreover, there is no continuing distressing vertigo, spontaneous nystagmus, or postural falls, which are typical signs of a vestibular tone imbalance caused by acute unilateral lesions. Those symptoms lead to an important decrease in physical activity, social functioning and vitality that dramatically impact the patients’ quality of life. The treatment options for various forms of BVH could be one of the following four lines of treatment: (a) Preventive treatment through prevention of ototoxicity, (b) therapeutic treatment through medical treatment of the causative underlying disease, (c) rehabilitative treatment through the vestibular rehabilitation therapy, (d) future directions through sensory substitution devices (balance prostheses technology). The prognosis of BVH is poor and more than 80% of the patients do not improve. The aim of this study was to discuss the update and the future directions in the treatment of the bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Mohamed Fawzy MD, AuD

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Ahmed Khater

  3. Department of ENT, Hearing & Balance Clinic, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, UAE, PO Box 7272, Al-Baraha Area

    Mohamed Fawzy MD, AuD & Ahmed Khater

  4. Department of ENT Audiology Unit, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Mohamed Fawzy MD, AuD & Ahmed Khater

Authors
  1. Mohamed Fawzy MD, AuD
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Correspondence to Mohamed Fawzy MD, AuD.

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Fawzy, M., Khater, A. Bilateral vestibulopathy treatment: update and future directions. Egypt J Otolaryngol 32, 83–92 (2016). https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.181082

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