Vertigo

Question 1

what is vertigo?

Answer 1

false sensation that the body or environment is moving

Question 2

what are the differentials for vertigo?

Answer 2

• viral labyrinthitis
• vestibular neuronitis
• benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• meniere’s disease
• vertebrobasilar ischaemia
• acoustic neuroma

Question 3

what are the characteristics of viral labyrinthitis?

Answer 3

• recent viral infection
• sudden onset
• nausea and vomiting
• hearing may be affected

Question 4

what are the characteristics of vestibular neuronitis?

Answer 4

• recent viral infection
• recurrent vertigo attacks lasting hours or days
• no hearing loss

Question 5

what are the characteristics of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Answer 5

• gradual onset
• triggered by change in head position
• each episode lasts 10-20 seconds

Question 6

what are the characteristics of meniere’s disease?

Answer 6

EPISODIC
* hearing loss
* tinnitus
* sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears

Question 7

what are the characteristics of vestibrobasilar ischaemia?

Answer 7

• elderly patient
• dizziness on extension of neck

Question 8

what are the characteristics of acoustic neuroma?

Answer 8

• hearing loss
• vertigo
• tinnitus
• absent corneal reflex
• associated with neurofibromatosis type 2

Question 9

what are the non-ENT causes of vertigo?

Answer 9

• posterior circulation stroke
• trauma
• multiple sclerosis
• ototoxicity (e.g. gentamicin)