Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that can initially present with diverse neurological symptoms. Vestibular dysfunction may be an early manifestation, and can mimic common peripheral vestibular disorders, creating a diagnostic challenge....
✦ The floor
Discussion
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Audiologists and vestibular specialists evaluating unexplained dizziness or balance disorders should include MS in the differential diagnosis, particularly when other neurological red flags are present; refer promptly to neurology when suspected.
Recognizing vestibular dysfunction as a potential first sign of MS could reduce diagnostic delays and improve outcomes for patients presenting to audiology or otolaryngology clinics.
- 01Case series in Acta Otolaryngologica documents vestibular dysfunction as an initial MS presentation.
- 02Demyelinating CNS disease (MS) can mimic peripheral vestibular disorders at onset.
- 03Early identification may prompt timely neurology referral and MS workup.
- 04Audiologists and ENTs are often the first clinicians to evaluate these patients.
- 05Case series design limits generalizability; larger prospective studies are needed.
Vestibular dysfunction can be the initial presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42829472
- DOI
- 10.1080/00016489.2026.2738334.
- Journal
- Acta Otolaryngologica
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients presenting with vestibular dysfunction as the initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis
- Intervention
- Characterisation of vestibular manifestations at MS onset
Primary outcomes
Description and frequency of vestibular symptoms as first presentation of MS; Clinical characteristics of MS patients with vestibular onset