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Vertigo Pseudovertigo
Episodic sudden Giddiness Syncopal episodes Disequilibrium
sensation of circular Sensation of Sensation of Loss of
motion of body or uncertainty or ill impending fainting balance/instability
surroundings defined light or LOC while walking
Accompanied by headedness Common causes: without sensations
nausea, vomiting, Not associated with o Cardiogenic of spinning
pallor, sweating, rotation, tinnitus, disorders Feeling underneath
tinnitus, hearing deafness, n, v o Postural feet is unsteady
disorder hypoTN Neurogenic origin
Precipitated by o Drug-
standing, turning induced
head, movement
DDX:
Acute Causes:
vestibulopathy o Vestibular neuronitis (acute vertigo + n + v)
o Labyrinthitis (acute vertigo + n + v + hearing loss +/- tinnitus)
o Stroke – AICA, PICA
Single attack vertigo, without tinnitus or deafness. Abrupt vertigo, ataxia, n, v
Lateral or unidirectional nystagmus
Tx:
o Rest in bed, lie still
o Gaze in direction that eases symptoms
BPPV Induced by changing head position: tilting head backwards, from recumbent
to sitting position or turning to affected side
Attack is brief, 10-60 secs and subsides rapidly
No v, tinnitus, deafness
Spontaneous recovery in a week
Test of hearing and vestibular function is normal
Hallspike test (+) indicative of (+) BPPV
Mx:
o Explanation, reassurance
o Avoidance measures: move in a way that avoid the attack
o Drugs recommended:
Betahistidine dihydrochloride 24mg BD x 2/52
Cinnarizine 15mg TDS x2/52
o Special exercise
o Cervical traction may help
o Particle repositioning manoeuvres aka Epley manoeuvre: as tx in a
positional exercise that induce vertigo hold at this position until it
subsides repeat until it does not cause vertigo subside in a few
days
Meniere’s syndrome Paroxysmal attack of vertigo, tinnitus, n, v, sweating and pallor, deafness
(build up pf (progressive)
endolymph) Abrupt onset – patient fall and bedridden for 1-2 hours
Last 30 minutes to several hours
Nystagmus during attack
Examination:
o Sensorineural deafness (low tones)
o Caloric test: impaired vestibular function
o Audiometry: sensorineural deafness, loudness recruitment
o Special test
o Characteristic changes in electrocochleography
Vestibular migraine Past/family history of migraine
(migrainous vertigo) History of recurrent spontaneous vertigo or ataxia in absence of aural
symptoms
Vertigo can replace symptoms of headache
N, v
Prophylaxis: pizotifen, propranolol
Hx:
Vertigo or pseudovertigo?
Symptoms: paroxysmal or continuous? Effect of position or change of posture?
Any aural symptoms? Tinnitus? Deafness?
Any visual symptoms?
Any neurological symptoms?: complex partial seizures, multiple sclerosis (sudden onset vertigo with
jiggly vision but no auditory symptoms)
Nausea? Vomiting?
Symptoms of psychoneurosis?
Any recent cold?: sudden attack of vertigo in a young person following a recent URTI is suggestive of
vestibular neuronitis
Any recent head injury?
Any drugs?
Investigations: