-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
nervous system
vertigo/dizziness
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition:
A disturbance in which the individual has a subjective impression of movement in space (subjective vertigo) or of objects moving around him/her (objective vertigo) usually with a loss of equilibrium.

etiology:
From a disturbance in the equilibratory apparatus: vestibule, semicircular canals, 8th cranial nerve, vestibular nuclei in the brainstem, and eyes. May be from effects of several disorders:
• otogenic: Meniere's syndrome, myringitis, otitis media, acute vestibular neuronitis, herpes zoster oticus, labyrinthitis, petrositis, otosclerosis, obstructed eustachian tube
• toxic: alcohol, streptomycin, opiates
• psychogenic: hysteria
• environmental: motion sickness
• ocular: diplopia
• circulatory: transient vestibular ischemic attack
• neurologic: MS, skull fracture, temporal lobe seizures, encephalitis
• neoplastic: tumors of the pons; cerebellopontine angle or 8th nerve
• hematogenic: leukemia involving the labyrinth

signs and symptoms

signs and symptoms:
• subjective complaint of vertigo
• nystagmus
• past pointing
• inability to walk a straight line
• deviation to one side when walking
• nausea

course and prognosis

Depending on the etiology vertigo may be progressive and is very uncomfortable. The most disturbing secondary complication is often nausea and vomiting. Severe attacks of whirling vertigo may mark the onset of Meniere's disease.

differential diagnosis

• faintness
• lightheadedness
• hypoglycemia


footnotes