Referrals to a specialised dizziness clinic often result in revised diagnoses and new therapeutic advice.
BACKGROUND
Patients with dizziness are frequently referred to specialised centres for a second opinion. The incremental diagnostic and therapeutic yield of this approach has rarely been studied.


OBJECTIVE
How often is a new diagnosis or treatment advice given to patients with dizziness who are referred for a second opinion to a tertiary multi-disciplinary expertise centre?


METHODS
In a prospective observational study, the following data were collected: reason for referral, diagnosis and treatment made by ENT surgeon and a neurologist in consensus.


RESULTS
In the complete group of patients (n = 327), a new (or amended) diagnosis was made in 54% and 62% of the patients received a new treatment advice.


CONCLUSIONS
Referral of selected dizzy patients to a multidisciplinary centre provides a revised diagnosis or treatment recommendation for a majority of patients.
Department of Neurology, Apeldoorn Dizziness Centre, Gelre Hospital Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
Roeland B
RB
van Leeuwen
Hester
H
van der Zaag-Loonen
D000328:Adult; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation