Evaluation of acute vertigo: unusual lesions imitating vestibular neuritis

The acute onset of vertigo is a common clinical problem presenting to primary care physicians or otologists for evaluation. Usually the underlying disease process is benign and self-limited in nature. In the absence of hearing loss or additional neurologic findings, a common initial diagnosis is ves...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of otology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 227
Main Authors Disher, M J, Telian, S A, Kemink, J L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1991
Subjects
Acute Disease
Adult
Brain Diseases - diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neuritis - diagnosis
Vertigo - etiology
Vestibular Nerve
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Summary:The acute onset of vertigo is a common clinical problem presenting to primary care physicians or otologists for evaluation. Usually the underlying disease process is benign and self-limited in nature. In the absence of hearing loss or additional neurologic findings, a common initial diagnosis is vestibular neuritis. The patient is treated symptomatically and observed for spontaneous resolution. However, other more serious disease processes may mimic the presentation of vestibular neuritis and be misdiagnosed. Five cases of serious central nervous system disorders that were similar to vestibular neuritis in their initial presentation are reviewed to illustrate this point. Each patient presented with the acute onset of continuous vertigo without associated hearing loss. The correct diagnosis was established only after further evaluation was pursued. Recommendations for the initial and subsequent evaluation of these patients are discussed.
ISSN:0192-9763