Recovery of Vestibulospinal Balance Function after Unilateral Labyrinthectomy in Patients with Ménière’s Disease

Abstract

The influence of unilateral labyrinthectomy on vestibulospinal balance function in patients with Ménière’s disease is studied with a gravicorder. Our data disclosed that vestibulospinal balance recovery was better when tested in the light, including the total length and area. Moreover, this quantitative test which measures changes in the center of gravity in standing subjects revealed that total length recovery was almost achieved within 5 weeks when measured in the light but required 12 months when measured in the dark; total area was almost in the normal range within 1 week when measured in the light but required 5 weeks when measured in the dark.