Vestibular Disorders

Question 1

Dizziness =

Answer 1

sensation of lightheadedness, giddiness, faintness

increased fall risk

Question 2

Vertigo =

Answer 2

sensation of moving around in space or having objects move around a person
tends to come in attacks
if severe, accompanied by nausea and vomitting

Question 3

Nystagmus =

Answer 3

involuntary, cyclical movement of the eyeball

Question 4

Blurred vision =

Answer 4

gaze instability secondary to VOR dysfunction

Question 5

Dysequilibrium or postural instability

Answer 5

vestibular spinal reflex dysfunction; ataxia, gait disturbances; increased fall risk

Question 6

Unilateral vestibular disorders include

Answer 6

Trauma
Vestibular neuronitis, labyrinthitis 
Menieres disease
BPPV 
Tumor

Question 7

Unilateral vestibular disorders - trauma

Answer 7

vestibular sx seen in 30-65% of patients with TBI

Question 8

Unilateral vestibular disorders - Vestibular neuronitis; labyrinthitis

Answer 8

an acute infection with prolonged attack of sx, persisting for several days or several weeks
Caused by viral or bacterial infection

Question 9

Unilateral vestibular disorders - Meniere’s disease

Answer 9

recurrent and usually progressive vestibular disease; episodic attacks may last from minutes to several hours with severe sx
Usually associated with tinnitus, deafness, sensation of pressure/fullness within the ear
Etiology is unknown
Edema of membranous labyrinth is common finding

Question 10

Unilateral vestibular disorders - BPPV

Answer 10

brief attacks of vertigo and nystagmus that occur in certain head positions *lying down and turning over in bed, tilting head back
May be related to degenerative process, mechanical impairment of peripheral vestibular system

Question 11

Unilateral vestibular disorders - tumor

Answer 11

acoustic neuroma, gliomas/brainstem, or cerebellar medulloblastoma

Question 12

Bilateral vestibular disorders

Answer 12

toxicity - ototoxic drugs
bilateral infection - neuritis, meningitis
vestibular neuropathy, otosclerosis (paget’s disease)

Question 13

BPPV tx techniques - for posterior AND horizontal

Answer 13

canalith repositioning treatment (Eply’s)

Question 14

BPPV tx techniques - for horizontal

Answer 14

Liberatory maneuver

Question 15

BPPV tx techniques - for residual of mild vertigo

Answer 15

Brandt-Daroff exercises