27 dizziness

Question 1

what is “BPPV”

Answer 1

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Question 2

describe Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Answer 2

Commonest cause of paroxysmal vertigo
Occurs at all ages, increasingly common in older age
Believed to result from small particles of otoconia dislodged from utricular maculae and trapped in semi-circular canals
Brief paroxysms of vertigo and nausea/vomiting induced by head movements
Vertigo settles with complete stillness
Nystagmus accompanies vertigo

Question 3

What manoeuvre can diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and what can treat it

Answer 3

Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre usually diagnostic
Epley manoeuvre (and similar) usually effective in treating
Typically occurs over a period of weeks, often recurrent

Question 4

what is Meniere’s disease

Answer 4

Uncommon cause of dizziness in the elderly
Classical triad of vertigo, tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss
Vertigo typically in episodes of 20 minutes – 12 hours
Vertigo worsened but not precipitated by head movements
Usually a feeling of fullness in the ear
Cause believed to be increased volume and pressure of endolymph
Treatment symptomatic

Question 4

what is “HINTS” for?

Answer 4

head impulse, nystagmus and test of skew (HINTS) examination

Question 5

what is Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre for

Question 6

what is vertigo

Answer 6

Vertigo specifically describes the sensation of illusory movement

Question 7

If a patient has vertigo what do you need to figure out?

Answer 7

Determining whether vertigo is of peripheral or central origin is critical.