Vertigo Flashcards
What is the definition of vertigo?
A sensation of spinning or dizziness, often described as a feeling that either the person or their surroundings are moving.
True or False: Vertigo is a diagnosis.
False: Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis.
Name two common peripheral causes of vertigo.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere’s disease.
What is the primary mechanism involved in BPPV?
Displacement of otoliths in the semicircular canals.
Fill in the blank: Meniere’s disease is characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and __________.
aural fullness.
Which cranial nerve is primarily involved in the vestibular system?
Cranial nerve VIII (the vestibulocochlear nerve).
What is the most common age group affected by vestibular migraine?
Adults aged 30 to 50 years.
True or False: Central vertigo is always less severe than peripheral vertigo.
False: Central vertigo can be more severe and may indicate serious conditions.
What is the role of the Epley maneuver?
To reposition displaced otoliths in BPPV.
Name a common medication used to treat acute vertigo.
Meclizine.
What condition is characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo lasting minutes to hours, often with unilateral hearing loss?
Meniere’s disease.
Which diagnostic test is commonly used to evaluate vestibular function?
Videonystagmography (VNG).
True or False: Acoustic neuroma can cause vertigo.
True.
What is the primary symptom of vestibular neuritis?
Sudden onset of severe vertigo, often with nausea. Loss of balance! Present vertigo and falls. Upper respiratory infection or herpes zoster.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a rare but serious cause of vertigo that involves a brainstem stroke.
Wallenberg syndrome.
What is the main difference between vertigo and dizziness?
Vertigo specifically refers to a spinning sensation, while dizziness can refer to a general feeling of unsteadiness.
Name one lifestyle modification that can help manage Meniere’s disease.
Reducing salt intake.
What is the purpose of using a tilt table test?
To assess the cause of syncope and evaluate autonomic function.
True or False: All patients with vertigo require imaging studies.
False: Imaging is not always necessary; it depends on clinical findings.
What is the typical duration of episodes in BPPV?
Seconds to minutes.
What are the common triggers for vestibular migraine?
Stress, hormonal changes, and certain foods.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a hereditary condition that can cause episodic vertigo and hearing loss.
Familial vestibular syndrome.
What is the significance of the head impulse test?
To assess the function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Name a common vestibular rehabilitation technique.
Habituation exercises.
True or False: Vertigo can only be caused by inner ear disorders.
False: It can also be caused by central nervous system disorders.
Vestibular Neuronitis - Describe
Caloric test (vestibuocular reflex test) mnemonic
Cows
Cold water: fast Face Of nistagmos To The Opposite Side From The cold water filled ear.
Warm Water: Fast Face Of nistagmus To The Same Side As The World Water filled ear.
Positive if intact brain stem
Name syndromes that can cause ACUTE onset vertigo tinnitus and hearing loss
Labyrinthitis (also nausea and vomiting, upper respiratory tract infection)
Meinere’s disease (pt also complain from ear fullness - excess endolymph in labyrinth)
Lateral medullary syndrome (Wallenberg Syndrome or PICA syndrome
Vértigo Horner SND Nys on the right side after popping sound (sudden onset of tinnitus) indicates?
Central cause
Vértigo Horner SND Nys on the right side after popping sound (sudden onset of tinnitus) + contralateral (left sided sensory impairment indicates?
Vertebrobasilar arterial system insufficiency.
Ausente of visual problems —- PICA
(No cortical - aphasia and cognitive -)
Presenting symptoms of acoustic neuroma.
Progressive!!!! Unilateral neurosensory hearing loss
Headache
Facial numbness
80% of cerebellopontine angle