Management of posttraumatic vertigo.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patients after blunt trauma of the head, neck, and craniocervical junction (without fractures) with vertigo and to report the results of treatment after extensive diagnostics.


METHODS
Prospective study of consecutive new cases with vertigo after trauma at different periods of onset. During 2000-2002, 63 patients were examined and treated.


METHODS
Regional trauma medical center for the greater Berlin Area, tertiary referral unit.


RESULTS
The primary disorders included labyrinthine concussion (18), rupture of the round window membrane (6), and cervicogenic vertigo (12). The secondary disorders included otolith disorders (5), delayed endolymphatic hydrops (12), and canalolithiasis (9). The patients were free of vertigo symptoms (except cervicogenic and otolith disorder) after treatment, which consisted of habituation training, medical and surgical therapy options. The follow-up was 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Posttraumatic vertigo can be treated with a high success rate once the underlying disorder has been identified. The extent of the neurotological test battery determines the precision and quality of diagnostics. Surgical measures should be an integral part of treatment modalities if conservative treatment is not effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Minor trauma of the head, neck, and craniocervical junction can have major impact on the vestibular system at different sites. Patients need to be carefully diagnosed, even if the onset of vertigo occurs a few weeks or months after the initial trauma.
Ernst
Arne
A
Department of Otolaryngology at ukb Medical Center, Berlin, Germany. ArneborgE@ukb.de
Basta
Dietmar
D
Seidl
Rainer O
RO
Todt
Ingo
I
Scherer
Hans
H
Clarke
Andrew
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy