Vestibular neuritis is a discrete degenerative neuropathy of the vestibular nerve trunks. The clinical manifestations consist of one or more severe prolonged episodes of vertigo, sometimes in association with milder periodic or constant unsteadiness. The atrophic changes in the vestibular nerves are usually sufficiently severe to create vestibular test abnormalities. The clinical and pathological features are consistent with a viral etiology.
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