Inferior vestibular neuritis in a fighter pilot: A case report

Pilot spatial disorientation is a leading factor contributing to many fatal flying accidents. Spatial orientation is the product of integrative inputs from the proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual systems. Vestibular neuritis (VN) can lead to sudden pilot incapacitation in flight. VN is commonly diagnosed by demonstration of unilateral vestibular failure, as unilateral loss of caloric response. As this test reflects the function of the superior part of the vestibular nerve only, cases of pure inferior nerve neuritis will be lost. This paper describes a fighter pilot with symptoms suggestive of VN but with normal caloric test results. Further test showed unilateral loss of vestibular evoked myogenic potential. We believe that the pilot suffered from pure inferior nerve vestibular neuritis. VEMP plays a major role in the diagnosis of inferior nerve vestibular neuritis in pilots. Aeromedical concerns are also discussed.