Characteristics and medical identification of vestibular neuritis in pilots

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of vestibular neuritis in pilots and its aeromedical identification principles. Methods Clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment,and aeromedical evaluation of 14 pilots with vestibular neuritis admitted to our hospital from 1966 to 2011 were analyzed. Results Of the 14 pilots with vestibular neuritis,13 were diagnosed with unilateral vestibular neuritis,1 was diagnosed with bilateral vestibular neuritis,and 6 were found to have a history of upper respiratory tract infection before the onset of vestibular neuritis.The 14 pilots were diagnosed as acute onset type and single onset type of vestibular neuritis,and mainly manifested as sudden vertigo companying nausea,vomit and sweating,with no significant tinnitus,hearing loss,and other neurological symptoms.Of the 14 pilots with vestibular neuritis,12 showed abnormal vestibular function,11 displayed spontaneous nystagmus in the healthy side.The sumptoms lasted 1-8 weeks.The symptoms improved or disappeared 1-3 months after treatment.The vestibular function was recovered in 10 pilots and remained abnormal in 4 pilots 1 year after the onset of vestibular neuritis.Of the 14 pilots with vestibular neuritis,13 returned to flight and 1 was grounded after treatment. Conclusion Vestibular neuritis is a peripheral vertigo disease and can be completely cured.Although pilots with it can finally return to flight after treatment,they should receive a comprehensive medical identification of their vestibular function before they return to flight according to the clinical characteristics of the disease,the recovery of vestibular function,the plane species of aircraft and the flight duty of pilots.