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Vestibular Ganglionitis

The vestibular ganglion, or ganglion of Scarpa, is a collection of bipolar nerve cell bodies that is part of the vestibular system in the inner ear. Vestibular ganglionitis is a viral or bacterial infection of this bundle of nerves.

  1. The Vestibular Nerve

    • The vestibular nerve is one of two branches of the vestibulochochlear nerve. It is located behind the cochlea (hearing structures) in the inner ear. According to a fact sheet published by the University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology, "The vestibular system provides an internal reference, telling the brain where the head is in space, its direction of movement, and acceleration. It contributes up to two-thirds of the information needed to maintain equilibrium."

    The Vestibular Ganglion

    • The vestibular system controls our sense of movement and balance.

      A ganglion is a group or bundle of nerve cell bodies. A clinical report published in the "Journal of Chiropractic Medicine" explains that fibers of the vestibular nerve extend to the vestibular ganglion, or ganglion of Scarpa, where they synapse with fibers that travel on to the brain.

    Vestibular Ganglionitis

    • The suffix -itis refers to an inflammation, disease or infection. According to an article published in "Nature Clinical Practice Neurology" journal, the common culprit of ganglion infections are herpes viruses like the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the virus associated with cold sores, and the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes chicken pox.

    Symptoms of Vestibular Ganglionitis

    • Vestibular ganglionitis shares symptoms with other disorders of the vestibular system. According to the University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology, these symptoms can include dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, disequilibrium, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and hearing loss.

    Diseases Associated With Vestibular Ganglionitis

    • Research published in the Annals of Otology Rhinology, and Laryngology implicates inflammation of vestibular ganglion cells in cases of Ménière's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and vestibular neuronitis. Vestibular neuronitis is a sudden attack of vertigo. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is brief episodes of dizziness associated with the position of the head. Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance.

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