Neurotology.
As in most areas of clinical medicine, the history often is the key to determining the diagnosis in patients presenting with neurotologic symptoms. The most common cause of vertigo--benign positional vertigo--can be diagnosed at the bedside based on the characteristic history and the finding of fatigable positional nystagmus on the Dix-Hallpike positional test. Furthermore, it can be cured with a simple positioning maneuver. Quantitative auditory and vestibular function tests are important for documenting the site and severity of deficit in patients with chronic neurotologic symptoms. Only a few presentations (listed in section on acute vertigo) require immediate neuroimaging.
Baloh
R W
RW
Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, USA.
Jacobson
K M
KM
D001299:Audiometry; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004584:Electronystagmography; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests