ENT Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
calcium carbonate crystals called otoconia become displaced in the semicircular canals which disrupt the usual flow of endolymph triggering vertigo
what are the 4 possible causes of BPPV?
viral infection
trauma
aging
idiopathic
what are 3 features of BPPV?
20-60 second duration
triggered by movement
no hearing loss or tinnitus
what does the Dix-Hallpike manouver test for?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
what is a positive Dix-Hallpike?
nystagmus is observed - beating is towards affected ear
what manoeuvre is used to treat BPPV?
epley manoeuvre
what manoeuvre is used to test for BPPV?
Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre
what exercises can be done by patients to improve BPPV?
Bradt-daroff exercises
what are the 4 most common causes of peripheral (vestibular) vertigo?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Menieres disease
vestibular neuritis
labrinthitis
what kind of nystagmus is seen in BPPV?
rotational nystagmus
How do you perform the dix-hallpike manouver?
Patients sat on flat exam couch with head turned 45 degrees to side of ear being tested
Rapidly lower patient backwards until head hanging off couch while holding head at 45 degrees
Hold head still 20-30 degrees below couch and at 45 degrees
Watch eyes for 30-60s for nystagmus
repeat on other side
How do you perform the epley manouver?
Patient sat on couch with head at 45 degrees towards affected side
Lie patient with head of the bed
Rotate their head 90 degrees past central point with head off couch
Have patient roll onto side with head still in position
Have patient sit up with legs off side of couch
position head centrally with neck flexed and chin to chest
at each stage support patients head in place for 30s and wait for nystagmus/dizziness to pass
when should patients with BPPV be referred to ENT?
Repeat symptoms despite repositioning procedures
Not resolved in 4 weeks
atypical symptoms or signs
3+ periods of vertigo
What is Meniere’s disease?
excessive build up of endolymph in membranous labyrinth which causes high pressure and sensory signals
what is the classic triad of Meniere’s disease?
Hearing loss
Vertigo
Tinnitus
what are 8 features of menieres disease?
hearing loss
tinnitus
vertigo
sensation of fullness in ear
Nystagmus during attack
last several hours
not associated with movement
unilateral hearing loss
drop attacks
what are vertigo attacks like in Meniere’s disease?
Episodes lasting 20 mins to hours that can come in clusters with long periods of remssion
what is the hearing loss like in Meniere’s disease?
fluctuant at first associated with vertigo attacks then becoming permanent
unilateral sensorineural hearing loss starting with low frequencies
what is the acute management of meniere’s disease?
Prochlorperazine - 5mg TDS
antihistamines
what is the prophylaxis for Meniere’s disease?
Betahistine - 16mg TDS taken with food
what are 4 risk factors for Meniere’s disease?
FHx
Caucasian
Migraines
Autoimmune diseases
what is acute vestibular neuritis?
inflammation of the vestibular nerve usually due to viral infection. Typically presents as acute onset vertigo which improves within a few weeks. NO HEARING LOSS OR TINNITUS
what kind of nystagmus is usually seen in vestibular neuritis?
Horizontal
what is labrynthitis?
inner ear inflammation usually due to viral infection which causes acute onset vertigo which improves within a few weeks and CAN CAUSE HEARING LOSS and nausea