Balance Flashcards
What is true vertigo
Hallucination of movement
Causes of vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Acute labyrinthitis/vestibular neuronitis
Ménière’s disease
Ototoxicity
Acoustic neuroma
Traumatic damage to petrous temporal bone or cerebellopontine angle
Describe BPPV
Stone in the semicircular canal of ear
Diagnosis of BPPV
Nystagmus on performing the Hallpike manoeuvre
Management of BPPV
Don’t drive with symptoms
Get out of bed slowly
Epley manoeuvres to clear the stone
What is Ménière’s disease
Increased pressure in endolymphatic system of inner ear causing recurrent vertigo attacks lasting >20mins
Associated symptoms of Ménière’s disease
Tinnitus
Sensorineural hearing loss
Management of Ménière’s disease
Bed rest for acute attacks Don't drive during symptoms For severe N+V: Buccal prochlorperazine Antihistamine
Symptoms of acute labyrinthitis
Severe vertigo
N+V
Prostration - extreme physical weakness
NO HEARING LOSS OR TINNITUS
Management of acute labyrinthitis
Bed rest Don't drive during symptoms For severe N+V: Buccal prochlorperazine Antihistamine
What is an acoustic neuroma
Schwannoma arising from the vestibular division of CNVIII
Location of acoustic neuroma
Cerebellopontine angle
Progression of acoustic neuroma symptoms
Presents with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss
Vertigo later
Affects ipsilateral CNs (V, VI, IX, X) and cerebellum
When should you admit someone with vertigo to hospital
Severe N+V - unable to tolerate fluids or drug treatment
Sudden onset unprovoked vertigo
Neurological signs e.g headache, gait disturbance
Acute deafness without features of Ménière’s
Test for balance disorder
Rombergs test
