Vertigo-Dizziness examination
Diagnosis of the type and etiology of dizziness and vertigo should be assessed by specialized otolaryngologist-neuro-otologist, who will then suggest the most appropriate treatment for the symptoms.
Complete medical examination for Dizziness at EYiasis includes:
- Neurological assessment
- Otological assessment
- Rinne & Weber tests
- Determination of nystagmus
- Frenzel spectacles to assess automatic or triggered nystagmus
- Romberg test
- Unterberger’s test
- Dix-Hallpike test,
- Evaluation of the Vestibulo-Ophthalmic reflex
- Head Impulse Test
Vertigo and Disorientation
Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition itself. It’s the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.It may be accompanied by loss of balance, nausea and dizziness.
Vertigo is usually due to disorders in the vestibular system and rarely to neurological conditions. The vestibular system is a sensory system located inside the ear. This, combined with the optical system, ensure a sense of direction and balance in space. The labyrinth, the vestibular nerve, and the connections to the brain are parts of this system. When one of these systems malfunctions, it causes a feeling of rotation and dizziness.
Other etiologies for vertigo Brain problems such as stroke or tumor. Vertigo may also be due to viruses or inflammations of the labyrinth.
Thus, an examination by a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology-Neurootology is necessary in order to exclude other more serious possibilities.
References
- Lampela P, Paajanen T, Hartikainen S, Huupponen R. Central Anticholinergic Adverse Effects and Their Measurement. Drugs Aging. 2015 Dec;32(12):963-74.
- Stanton M, Freeman AM. Vertigo. 2023 Mar 13.
- Thompson TL, Amedee R. Vertigo: a review of common peripheral and central vestibular disorders. Ochsner J. 2009 Spring;9(1):20-6.
- Kim H. Y., Chung C. S., Moon S. Y., et al. Complete nonvisualization of basilar artery on MR angiography in patients with vertebrobasilar ischemic stroke: favorable outcome factors. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2004;18:269–276.