The effects of COVID-19 on the vestibular system

• Verfasst von: Zaubitzer, Lena [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Ludwig, Sonja [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Berkemann, Michelle [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Walter, Beatrice [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Jungbauer, Frederic [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Held, Valentin [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Hegemann, Stefan C. A. [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Rotter, Nicole [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Schell, Angela [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: The effects of COVID-19 on the vestibular system
• Verf.angabe: Lena Zaubitzer, Sonja Ludwig, Michelle Berkemann, Beatrice Walter, Frederic Jungbauer, Valentin Held, Stefan C.A. Hegemann, Nicole Rotter and Angela Schell
• E-Jahr: 2023
• Jahr: 10 March 2023
• Umfang: 8 S.
• Illustrationen: Illustrationen
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 13.05.2024
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Frontiers in neurology
• Ort Quelle: Lausanne : Frontiers Research Foundation, 2008
• Jahr Quelle: 2023
• Band/Heft Quelle: 14(2023) vom: März, Seite 1-8
• ISSN Quelle: 1664-2295
• DOI: doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1134540
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: COVID-19
• Sach-SW: SVV
• Sach-SW: VEMP = vestibular-evoked myogenic potential
• Sach-SW: vestibular system
• Sach-SW: vHIT
• K10plus-PPN: 1888398655

Abstract

Introduction: The symptoms and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection vary greatly across the spectrum, from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome and even death. Dizziness is a frequently reported symptom of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. However, the extent to which this symptom results from the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the vestibular system remains unclear. Materials and methods: In the present single-center, prospective cohort study, patients with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent a vestibular assessment consisting of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory to assess dizziness during and after infection, a clinical examination, the video head impulse test, and the subjective visual vertical test. When the subjective visual vertical test result was abnormal, vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials were performed. Vestibular testing results were compared to pre-existing normative data of healthy controls. In addition, we performed a retrospective data analysis of patients admitted to hospital presenting with acute symptoms of dizziness who were also diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: A total of 50 participants have been enrolled. During and after the SARS-CoV-2 infection, women were significantly more likely than men to suffer from dizziness. A significantly reduced semicircular canal or otolith function was not observed in either women or men. Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in nine patients who presented to the emergency room with acute vestibular syndrome. Six of the patients exhibited acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy upon diagnosis. A different patient was diagnosed with vestibular migraine, and two individuals had a posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarct revealed by magnetic resonance imaging. Discussion/conclusion: Overall, a persisting structural affection of the vestibular system by SARS-CoV-2 seems to be unlikely and could not be confirmed by vHIT, SVV, and VEMPS in our study. It seems possible but unlikely that SARS-CoV-2 induces acute vestibulopathy. Nevertheless, dizziness is a common symptom in patients with COVID-19, which should be taken and worked through seriously.