While an acute loss of unilateral vestibular function (for example in case of neuritis vestibularis or temporal bone fracture) leads to long-term vertigo, this paper deals with the phenomenon of episodic vertigo (duration: seconds up to hours).Both peripheral-vestibular and central disturbances can be responsible for this symptom. The aim of this paper is to present otological and neurological diseases which can lead to episodic attacks of vertigo.