Vestibular Flashcards
Central vs. Peripheral Pathologies: definitions
Central: brain-related
Peripheral: labyrinth-related
Examples of CENTRAL pathologies
CVA
Cerebellar disorders
MS
Examples of PERIPHERAL pathologies
BPPV
Vestibular neuritis
Labyrinths
Acoustic neuroma
Central vs Peripheral Symptoms: Ataxia
Central: severe
Peripheral: none or mild
Central vs Peripheral Symptoms: Smooth Pursuits & Saccades
Central: abnormal
Peripheral: normal
Central vs Peripheral Symptoms: Red Flags
Central: diplopia & scanning speech
Peripheral: none
Central vs Peripheral Symptoms: Hearing
Central: not affected
Peripheral: hearing loss, fullness in ears, tinnitus
Central vs Peripheral Symptoms: Nystagmus
Central: pendular & vertical
Peripheral: jerk
Central vs Peripheral Symptoms: Visual Fixation
Central: does not change sxs
Peripheral: improves sxs (esp nystagmus)
How to assess for Smooth Pursuits
Follow my finger with your eyes (H)
How to assess for Saccades
Look at nose, finger, nose, finger
How to assess VOR
Ability to maintain visual fixation during rapid head movements.
Head Thrust (AKA Impulse) test.
Head Thrust: which side is being tested?
Side where head is turning TOWARDS
Abnormal Head Thrust looks like…
eyes follow the head, then return to the target
BPPV: is VOR abnormal or intact?
INTACT
BPPV definition
Otoconia displaced from utricle & goes into semi canals.
BPPV Canalithiasis vs Cupulolithiasis: definitions
Canal: crystals floating around canal.
Cupulo: crystals stuck in cupula.
BPPV Canalithiasis vs Cupulolithiasis: episode durations
Canal <1min
Cupulo >1min
Dix Hallpike tests for…
BPPV of Posterior or Anterior canal.
Both Canalithiasis & Cupulolithasis (duration of sxs differentiates).
Dix Hallpike - Posterior Canal nystagmus
Upbeating torsional
Dix Hallpike - Anterior Canal nystagmus
Downbeating torsional
Dix Hallpike - which side is affected?
(+) when head is turned towards affected ear
Treatment for Canalithiasis
Epley Maneuver
Treatment for Cupulolithiasis
Liberatory (Semont) Maneuver:
-Turn head AWAY from affected.
-Fall into side-lying TOWARD affected.
-Rapidly move to side-lying on other side.
-Return to sitting.
Brandt Daroff can be used to treat…
Mild vertigo.
Pt cannot tolerate repositioning maneuvers.
Supine Roll Test tests for…
Horizontal Canal BPPV
Supine Roll Test procedure
Turn head TOWARDS affected side, while in supine.
Head slightly FLEXED (pillow under head).
How to identify: Horizontal Canalithiasis BPPV
Geotropic nystagmus with Supine Roll Test
How to identify: Horizontal Cupulolithiasis BPPV
Ageotropic nystagmus with Supine Roll Test
How to identify which side is affected with: Horizontal Canalithiasis BPPV
Side of more intense nystagmus on Supine Roll Test
How to identify which side is affected with: Horizontal Cupulolithiasis BPPV
Side of less intense nystagmus on Supine Roll Test
Treatment for Horizontal BPPV
Canalith Repositioning Maneuver (AKA BBQ Roll):
-Supine position.
-Maintain slight cervical flexion throughout.
-Turn head 90deg toward affected side.
-Return to center.
-Turn head 90deg toward other side.
-Roll into prone.
Labyrinthitis: definition
Inflamed labyrinth
Labyrinthitis: duration of sxs
Days to weeks
Labyrinthitis: key sxs
-Vertigo
-Nausea, vomiting
-Hearing loss
-Tinnitus
Vestibular Neuritis: definition
Inflamed nerve
Vestibular Neuritis: duration of sxs
Days to weeks
Vestibular Neuritis: key sxs
-Vertigo
-Nausea, vomiting
Meniere’s: definition
Overproduction of fluid causing pressure
Meniere’s: duration of sxs
Minutes to hours
Meniere’s: key sxs
-Vertigo
-Hearing loss
-Tinnitus
-Fullness in ear
Acoustic Neuroma (AKA Vestibular Schwannoma): definition
Tumor of CN 8
May affect CN 7 too
Acoustic Neuroma (AKA Vestibular Schwannoma): duration of sxs
Gradual onset
Acoustic Neuroma (AKA Vestibular Schwannoma): key sxs
-Vertigo
-Hearing loss
-Tinnitus
-Loss of balance
-Facial numbness/weakness
Unilateral Hypofunction treatments
-VOR x1
-VOR x2
-Postural stability, balance
-Habituation
Bilateral Hypofunction treatments
-VOR x1 only (x2 too difficult).
-Imaginary targets
-Walking