Objective: To determine if the incidence of vestibular neuronitis displays seasonal variation.
Methods: A retrospective case review was performed to determine the monthly and quarterly incidence of vestibular neuronitis over a 36-month period. Incidence values were compiled, and the chi-square test and Rayleigh test for circular means were used to assess for uneven distribution and seasonality, respectively.
Results: Fifty-two patients were diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis during the study period. The 2009-2010 study year showed uneven distribution and evidence of seasonality (R = 7.211, p < 0.001). However, the other two study years did not show statistical significance using either the chi-square test or Rayleigh test. In addition, when incidence values were aggregated across all three years of the study, neither the chi-square test nor Rayleigh test showed statistical significance.
Conclusion: The present study found minimal evidence of seasonality in the incidence of vestibular neuronitis. These findings are consistent with studies of seasonality observed for other inner-ear disorders thought to be virally mediated.