Primary assessment of the vertiginous patient at a pre-ENT balance clinic.
BACKGROUND
Due to problems with long waiting times for assessment of vertiginous patients (more than 24 weeks), we changed practice and instituted a pre-ENT balance clinic assessment; we then audited the results. In particular, we looked at the subgroup with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo.


METHODS
One hundred and fifteen patients were seen at the pre-ENT balance clinic from October 2003 to September 2004. Those diagnosed with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo received particle repositioning therapy at the same clinic and did not subsequently need ENT assessment.


RESULTS
By the end of the audit period, waiting times were reduced to three weeks, and more than one-quarter of vertiginous patients (i.e. those diagnosed with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo) did not need to be reviewed at an ENT clinic.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe this to be the first study to present prospective data showing that patients with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo may be safely diagnosed and effectively managed at a pre-ENT balance clinic.
Leong
A C
AC
Department of Otolaryngology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK. annabelle.leong@btinternet.com
Barker
F
F
Bleach
N R
NR
D003939:Diagnostic Techniques, Otological / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D014850:Waiting Lists