title: [Dizziness from a neuro-otological viewpoint].
abstract: The symptom of vertigo can be due to many different causes. Differential diagnosis will be discussed primarily from a neuro-otologic point of view. Vertigo can be thought of as a subjective disturbance of the integration of different sensory inputs. The history and subjective characterisation of vertigo often provide enough information for initial differential diagnosis and recommendation for a specific evaluation. The evaluation includes simple tests of posture and gait, tests of ocular motility, and examination of nystagmus. Instability and nystagmus towards a specific direction point to a vestibular disorder, especially if the nystagmus is suppressed by optical fixation. The most common causes of a vestibular disorder are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a sudden vestibular loss (or vestibular neuritis), and Ménière's disease. These three diseases are discussed briefly.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Kantonsspital Basel.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Probst
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005133:Eye Movements; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011187:Posture; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests