Causes of vertigo and dizziness

Question 1

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) features

The presence of […] in the […] canals of the ears causes vertigo upon head […].
The […] manoeuvre is diagnostic, where certain movements of the head causes fatiguable […].
[…] manoeuvres treat BPPV by clearing the debris.

Answer 1

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) features

The presence of debris in the semicircular canals of the ears causes vertigo upon head movement.
The Hallpike manoeuvre is diagnostic, where certain movements of the head causes fatiguable nystagmus.
Epley manoeuvres treat BPPV by clearing the debris.

Question 2

Acute labyrinthitis features

Inflammation of the […] nerve causes an […] severe vertigo, which may be associated with vomiting.
It is often associated with a recent […] illness or a […] lesion, in which case it may involve other cranial nerve deficits.
It often resolves completely over a month, so treatment is […], although sedatives may help in severe cases.

Answer 2

Acute labyrinthitis features

Inflammation of the vestibular nerve causes an acute severe vertigo, which may be associated with vomiting.
It is often associated with a recent viral illness or a vascular lesion, in which case it may involve other cranial nerve deficits.
It often resolves completely over a month, so treatment is conservative, although sedatives may help in severe cases.

Question 3

Acute labyrinthitis vs vestibular neuritis

Answer 3

Distinguished by the presence and absence of hearing dysfunction.
Therefore, acute labrynthitis can present with hearing loss and tinnitus, whereas vestibular neuritis does not.

Question 4

Ménière’s disease features

Endolymphatic system […] increases causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, […] hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of aural fullness.
Treatment involves […] and bed rest.

Answer 4

Ménière’s disease features

Endolymphatic system pressure increases causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of aural fullness.
Treatment involves antihistamines and bed rest.

Question 5

Acoustic neuroma features

Actually a vestibular […].
They usually present with […] hearing loss and progress to involve cranial nerves 5, 6, 9, 10, and the ipsilateral […].

Answer 5

Acoustic neuroma features
Actually a vestibular schwannoma.
They usually present with unilateral hearing loss and progress to involve cranial nerves 5, 6, 9, 10, and the ipsilateral cerebellum.

Question 6

Ramsay Hunt syndrome features

[…] infection of the […] nerve (CN VII) causes a […] nerve palsy, with or without vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
This is treated with […] and prednisolone.

Answer 6

Ramsay Hunt syndrome features

Herpetic infection of the facial nerve causes a facial nerve palsy, with or without vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
This is treated with aciclovir and prednisolone.

Question 7

Ototoxicity
Caused by […] antibiotics (eg. gentamicin, vancomycin) and […] […] (eg. furosemide), most commonly.

Answer 7

Ototoxicity
Caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics (eg. gentamicin, vancomycin) and loop diuretics (eg. furosemide), most commonly.