Vertigo

For further information, see CMDT Part 8-07: Diseases of the Inner Ear

Key Features

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Either a sensation of motion when there is no motion or an exaggerated sense of motion in response to movement

• Duration of vertigo episodes and association with hearing loss

• Must differentiate peripheral from central causes of vestibular dysfunction

• Peripheral: Onset is sudden; often associated with tinnitus and hearing loss; horizontal nystagmus may be present

• Central: Onset is gradual; no associated auditory symptoms

• Evaluation includes audiogram and electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG) and MRI

General Considerations

• Causes can be determined based on the duration of symptoms (seconds, hours, days, months) and whether auditory symptoms are present (Table 8–3)

• Vertigo can occur as a side effect of

  • Anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoin)

  • Antibiotics (eg, aminoglycosides, doxycycline, metronidazole)

  • Hypnotics (eg, diazepam)

  • Analgesics (eg, aspirin)

  • Tranquilizing drugs and alcohol

Positioning vertigo

• Commonly known as benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) or benign positioning vertigo (BPV)

• Associated with changes in head position, often rolling over in bed

Endolymphatic hydrops (Ménière disease)

• Cause is unknown

• Distention of the endolymphatic compartment of the inner ear may be part of pathogenesis of this disorder

• Two known causes are syphilis and head trauma

Clinical Findings

Symptoms and Signs

• See Table 8–3

• A thorough history often narrows, if not confirms, the diagnosis

• Triggers should also be sought

  • Diet (eg, high salt in Ménière disease)

  • Stress

  • Fatigue

  • Bright lights

• Perform Romberg test; evaluate gait; observe for nystagmus

Peripheral vestibulopathy

• Vertigo usually sudden; may be so severe that patient is unable to walk or stand; frequently accompanied by nausea and vomiting

• Tinnitus and hearing loss may accompany; support otologic origin

• Nystagmus usually horizontal with rotary component; fast phase usually beats away from diseased side

• Visual fixation tends to inhibit nystagmus except in very acute peripheral lesions or with CNS disease

• Dix-Hallpike test

  • Patient is quickly lowered into supine position with head extending over the edge and placed 30 degrees lower than the body, turned either to left or right

  • Elicits delayed onset (about 10 s) of fatiguable nystagmus in cases of benign positioning vertigo

  • Nonfatiguable nystagmus indicates central etiology for ...