Acute cerebellar vertigo in a fighter pilot.
Vertigo is a frequently encountered complaint among aviators. This complaint is usually labyrinthine in origin. We present a case of a combat jet fighter pilot who experienced a vertiginous episode during flight that nearly resulted in a mishap. Work-up revealed a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Coiling of the aneurysm was performed. This case emphasizes the importance of performing a complete vestibular evaluation in aviators with acute vertigo. Since central nervous system causes may be responsible for vertiginous events, and when undiagnosed may result in a recurrence during flight, magnetic resonance scanning should be considered in those with no obvious peripheral cause for their vertigo.
Grossman
Alon
A
Israeli Air Force Aeromedical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. alon2209@012.net.il
Chapnik
Leah
L
Ulanovski
David
D
Goldstein
Liav
L
Azaria
Bella
B
Sherer
Yaniv
Y
Barenboim
Erez
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology*