Patterns of vestibular function in patients with dizziness after COVID-19 vaccination; dual tertiary referral center study. (2nd December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoon, Joonsik; Song, Min Seok; Lee, Sang-Yeon; Park, Moo Kyun; Lee, Jun Ho; Oh, Seung Ha; Lee, Min Young; Suh, Myung-Whan
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 142:Number 9/12(2022)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 674
• Publication Date: 2022-12-02
• Subjects: Covid 19 -- vestibulopathy -- vaccination -- dizziness; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2022.2140191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Although dizziness is a common symptom after vaccination, the mechanism, and prognosis are not well understood. Aims/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate patients with dizziness after COVID-19 vaccination by analyzing objective information. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who visited the outpatient clinics of two institutes with a complaint of dizziness occurring within 72 h after a COVID-19 vaccination. Results: In most cases, patients experienced only a single event of dizziness, and the subjective symptom was relieved after a few weeks. All patients decreased gain of vestibular ocular reflex (VOR). The vestibular function test results showed signs of central vestibulopathy in some cases. We separated patients into two groups; the direction-fixed nystagmus (DFN) group and the direction-changing nystagmus (DCN) group. All patients showed decreased gain on the rotational chair test (RCT). The DFN group showed an 80% decrease in video head impulse test (vHIT) gain, whereas the DCN group only showed a decrease of 25%. In RCT, 66% of the DFN group showed asymmetry compared to 20% showing asymmetry in the DCN group. Conclusion and significance: The patients who suffered from dizziness after the COVID-19 vaccination exhibited decreased VOR gain and in some cases signs of central vestibulopathy.