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Chapter 9 - Dizziness

from Section 2 - Common Neurologic Presentations: A Symptom-Based Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2024

By
Kevin M. Kelly ,
Arthur Alcantara Lima  and
Thomas P. Campbell
Edited by
Thomas P. Campbell  and
Kevin M. Kelly
Thomas P. Campbell
Affiliation:
Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
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Summary

The evaluation of patients with the complaint of “dizziness” is a frequent occurrence in the ED. It accounts for 3.5–11% of ED visits. The word dizziness is a nonspecific term used by patients and healthcare professionals to describe a disturbed sense of wellbeing, usually perceived as an altered orientation in space. Vertigo is defined as an illusion of movement of oneself or one’s surroundings. It is usually experienced as a sensation of rotation or, less frequently, as undulation, linear displacement (pulsion), or tilt. Although vertigo usually suggests a vestibular disorder that can involve the inner ear or brain, this symptom itself cannot reliably localize the disorder. Dizziness or vertigo can result from numerous disorders of a complex human balance system. Despite the inherent complexities, the ED evaluation of dizziness or vertigo can be simplified by a systematic approach in history-taking, physical examination, and laboratory testing.

Keywords

vertigonystagmusHallpikeEpleyHINTSlabyrinthitisBPPVvestibular neuronitisMeniere’s diseaseacoustic neuroma
Type
Chapter
Information
Handbook of Emergency Neurology , pp. 108 - 130
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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