Bilateral vestibular loss after caloric irrigation: clinical application of vestibular rehabilitation.
Bilateral vestibular loss is a rare diagnosis among patients with dizziness and imbalance. Nevertheless, symptoms are often disabling and therapy has yet to be established.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and describe the clinical outcome of patients with imbalance due to bilateral vestibular loss after a caloric test treated with vestibular rehabilitation.


METHODS
Retrospective case report.


METHODS
Pre- and post-treatment outcomes were evaluated in 8 individuals suffering from post-caloric bilateral vestibular paresis who were submitted to vestibular rehabilitation.


RESULTS
Clinical improvement after vestibular rehabilitation was observed in 7 (87.5%) of the 8 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although complete compensation for bilateral vestibular loss is not expected, vestibular rehabilitation may be used as a therapeutic method in these patients.
Bittar
R S
RS
Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, São Paulo, Brazil. roseli.bittar@zipmail.com
Pedalini
M E B
ME
Ramalho
J R O
JR
Carneiro
C G
CG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002150:Caloric Tests; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000502:physiology; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*