title: Vertigo and autoimmunity.
abstract: Autoimmune inner ear disease probably accounts for less than 1% of all cases of balance disorders, but its incidence is often overlooked due to the absence of a specific diagnostic test. Furthermore, in several systemic autoimmune diseases the vestibulo-cochlear system may be affected. Clinical features comprise generalized imbalance, ataxia, motion intolerance, episodic vertigo and positional vertigo. An autoimmune mechanism seems to be responsible for 6% of unilateral and 16% of bilateral forms of Ménière's disease. Oscillopsia and disequilibrium secondary to a bilateral vestibular paresis are probably caused by an autoimmune response in 5% of cases. Balance disorders of central origin may be due to other immuno-mediated disorders such as multiple sclerosis, brainstem encephalitis and vasculitidis. Aim of this paper is to assess the clinical features of autoimmune vertigo disorders through a systematic literature review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University Hospital of Ferrara, Corso Giovecca, 203, 44100, Ferrara, Italy. roberto.bovo@unife.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bovo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciorba
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martini
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003939:Diagnostic Techniques, Otological; D007758:Ear, Inner; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*