Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What condition might present as vertigo following a viral infection?

1. Vestibular neuritis

2. Meniere's disease

3. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

4. Labyrinthitis

The correct answer is: Vestibular neuritis

Vestibular neuritis is characterized by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often following a viral infection such as upper respiratory infections or other viral illnesses. Patients typically present with sudden onset of vertigo, which may be severe and can last for days. There is usually no associated hearing loss, distinguishing it from other vestibular disorders. Following a viral infection, the vestibular nerve can become inflamed, leading to the classic symptom of vertigo. This condition results in a disruption of the signals sent from the inner ear to the brain regarding balance, causing unsteadiness and spinning sensations that can be very debilitating. Other conditions, while they may also have vertigo as a symptom, do not specifically follow viral infections in the same way. Meniere's disease often involves episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss over time and has a different etiology related to fluid dynamics in the inner ear. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is often triggered by specific head movements and is not usually linked to viral infections. Labyrinthitis, although it can also follow a viral infection, typically presents with hearing loss in conjunction with vertigo, making it a different diagnosis. Overall, vestibular neuritis is the