Enfoque diagnóstico del síndrome vestibular agudo en urgencias / Integral approach of acute vestibular síndrome

RESUMEN El vértigo se define como una sensación rotacional de movimiento y es uno de los principales motivos de consulta en urgencias. Aproximadamente entre el 5 y 7% de los pacientes que asisten a consulta de Medicina General han presentado esta afección en el último año. Por este motivo, es necesario tener una adecuada orientación de los casos que permita identificar su causa y diferenciar entre la patología central y periférica lo que permitirá abordar los pacientes de una manera adecuada, que permita distinguir aquellos que requieran hospitalización para estudios complementarios de los que pueden ser manejados ambulatoriamente. A continuación, revisaremos los principales síntomas clínicos, las pruebas semiológicas más utilizadas y las etiologías más relevantes para describir un abordaje sencillo de este síndrome.

SUMMARY Vertigo is defined as a sensation of rotation or imbalance and is a common complain for emergency room consultation. Approximately between 5% and 7% of patients who consulted their general physician in the last year have presented vertigo. Therefore, it is essential to have an adequate understanding of this disease to properly distinguish between the principal causes as it orients proper treatment. This article is a review of the main symptoms, frequently used clinical exams and relevant etiologies, in order to provide a simple orientation to general practitioners.

Evaluación inicial del paciente con mareos y vértigo / Initial evaluation of the patient with dizziness and vertigo

El paciente que consulta por mareos o vértigo es sin duda un desafío para el médico que trabaja en un servicio de urgencia. Esto se da en parte por la dificultad de los pacientes de definir el síntoma, a la amplia gama de diagnósticos diferenciales y su potencial riesgo de desenlace negativo, como en el caso del accidente cerebrovascular de fosa posterior. En esta revisión narrativa, el objetivo: es explicar el enfrentamiento inicial del paciente con mareos y vértigo, describir las pruebas y métodos diagnósticos complementarios, distinguir los diagnósticos diferenciales más frecuentes y explicar el manejo inicial. Método:se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de literatura científica sobre esta patología, basado en la propuesta de Edlow (2016), donde se enfatiza en un enfoque basado en temporalidad, factores desencadenantes y contexto del síntoma.(AU)

The patient who consults for dizziness or vertigo is undoubtedly a challenge for the emergency physician. This is partly due to the difficulty of the patients to define the symptom, the wide range of differential diagnoses and their potential risk of negative outcome, as in the case of posterior circulation stroke. In this narrative review, the objective is to explain the initial approach of the patient with dizziness and vertigo, describe the tests and complementary diagnostic methods, distinguish the most frequent differential diagnoses and explain the initial management. A bibliographic review of the scientific literature on this pathology was carried out, based on the proposal of Edlow (2016), which emphasizes an approach based on temporality, trigger factors and context of the symptom. (AU)

Effect of vertebral artery hypoplasia on false negative rates in early MRI detection of small posterior circulation infarcts in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH)on falsenegative rates with MRI in isolated acute vestibular syndrome (AIVS) patients with small posterior circulation small infarcts (infarct diameter ≤ 10 mm by DWI).Methods A total of 224 AIVS patients with at least one stroke risk factor (defined as high-risk AIVS)were consecutively recruited.Head impulse,nystagmus and test-of-skew(HINTS),brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP),and blink reflex(BR)were performed as soon as possible ahead of MRI.Another MRI was carried out in those with negative findings on the first imaging but suspected of a central lesion based on HINTS + BAEP + BR.Patients were divided into a VAH group and a non-VAH group.Results Of the 98 cases with posterior circulation infarcts,37 cases were small infarcts,including 16 in the VAH group(16/61,26.2％)and 21 in the non VAH group(21/163,12.9％),with a significant difference between the groups(x2 =4.58,P ＜ 0.05).Nine VAH patients (9/16,56.3 ％)and 4 non-VAH patients(4/21,19.0％)presented false negative results on cranial MRI-DWI,and the difference was also statistically significant(x2 =6.23,P＜0.001).HINTS + BAEP + BR showed a higher sensitivity than early MRI in identifying small infarcts(VAH group:100.0％ vs.44.0％ or 7/16,U=6.41,P＜0.001;non-VAH group:100.0％ vs.81.0％ or 17/21,U=4.46,P＜0.0S).V wave peak latency,Ⅲ-Ⅴ and Ⅰ-Ⅴ wave interpeak latency,and the latency of R1,R2,and R2' in the VAH group were longer than in the non-VAH group(each P＜0.05).Conclusions When VAH is present in high-risk AIVS patients,small infarcts are common,with high false-negative rates on MRI-DWI.HINTS + BAEP + BR may help identify small infarcts and thus improve diagnostic sensitivity.

The Clinical Evaluation of Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To explore the assessment methods of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness(PPPD).Methods A total of 39 patients with PPPD were enrolled as PPPD group,compare with 36 cases with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSHL) with vertigo.The clinic data,DHI/NEO-FFI/SSRC,auditory and vestibular function(bithermal caloric test,vestibular evoked myogenic potential)tests were collected for all the subjects and compared between groups.Results There were statistical differences between two groups in DHI/NEO-FFI/ SSRC (P＜0.05).13 cases of PPPD with mild or moderate sensorineural hearing loss,36 cases of SSHL with severe or extremely severe sensorineural hearing loss;double temperature test and VEMP normal derivation rates of PPPD were significantly higher than SSHL (P＜0.05).Conclusion Neurotic and introverted personality traits are found to be risk factors for PPPD.Patients with PPPD are prone to anxiety.PPPD has a great impact on the social activities and life quality of patients.

Evaluation of central vestibular syndrome in dogs using brainstem auditory evoked responses recorded with surface electrodes / Avaliação da síndrome vestibular central em cães usando respostas evocadas auditivas do tronco cerebral gravadas com eletrodos de superfície

The present study aimed to analyse the wave morphology, amplitude, latency, and intervals of the brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) in dogs with central vestibular syndrome (CVS) recorded with surface electrodes. Ten dogs with CVS were examined by mono- and binaural stimulation, using the Neuropack electrodiagnostic system, with stimulus intensities of 90 dBSPL. BAERs examinations revealed morphological changes of waves I, II, III, and V and decreased amplitudes of all waves in 7/10 dogs. P values obtained were = 0.014 for wave I amplitude, 0.031 for II, and III and 0.032 for V. Comparing the latencies of waves I, II, III, and V generated by right and left monoaural stimulation in dogs with CVS, we did not observe significant differences (P > 0.05). No statistical differences were observed for BAERs latencies of the waves recorded after binaural and monaural stimulation (left or right). As far as we know, this is the first study of BAERs using surface electrodes, obtained from dogs with CVS.(AU)

Este estudo destina-se à análise da morfologia, da amplitude, da latência e do intervalo das ondas das respostas evocadas auditivas no tronco cerebral (BAERs) em cães com síndrome vestibular central (CVS) registrados com eletrodos de superfície. Dez cães com CVS foram examinados por estimulação mono e binaural usando um sistema de eletrodiagnóstico Neuropack, com intensidade do estímulo de 90 dBSPL. Os exames BAERs relevaram alterações morfológicas das ondas I, II, III e V, bem como baixas amplitudes para todas as ondas no caso dos 7/10 cães. Os valores de P obtidos foram = 0.014 para ampitude da onda I, 0.031 para a II e 0.032 para a V. Compararam-se as latências das ondas I, II, III e V geradas pelo estímulo monoaural direito e esquerdo em cães com CVS e não foram constatadas diferenças significativas (P > 0.05). Igualmente não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas no caso das latências BAERs no que diz respeito às ondas gravadas depois de estímulos binaural e monoaural (esquerdo ou direito). Pelo que é de conhecimento dos autores da presente pesquisa, este é o primeiro estudo sobre BAERs usando eletrodos de superfície obtidos em cães com CVS.(AU)

Doença vestibular em cães: 81 casos (2006-2013) / Vestibular disease in dogs: 81 cases (2006-2013)

Eighty-one cases of vestibular disease in dogs were diagnosed by the neurology service in a veterinary teaching hospital in southern Brazil from 2006 to 2013. Approximately 2/3 of these cases were interpreted as central vestibular disease (CVD) with the remaining cases being considered as peripheral vestibular disease (PVD). Pure breed dogs, especially Dachshunds (PVD) and Boxers (CVD) were more affected than mixed breed dogs. The main clinical signs observed in cases of CVD and PVD included head tilt, vestibular ataxia, and ventral or ventrolateral strabismus. Proprioceptive deficits, cranial nerve V-XII dysfunction, and changes in the levels of conscience were observed only in cases of CVD, whereas absence of palpebral reflex occurred only in cases of PVD. Inflammatory or infectious diseases, especially canine distemper and bacterial otitis were the most commonly observed conditions associated with CVD and PVD, respectively. This article establishes the epidemiology (sex, age, and breed) and prevalence of clinical signs related to canine vestibular disease in the Central Rio Grande do Sul State; discusses the use of the clinical findings in the correct diagnosis and differentiation between CVD and PVD; and defines the main specific diseases responsible for the occurrence of CVD and PVD in dogs.

De 2006 a 2013 foram diagnosticados 81 casos de doença vestibular canina no serviço de rotina em neurologia de um hospital veterinário universitário do sul do Brasil. Desses, aproximadamente dois terços foram diagnosticados com doença vestibular central (DVC) e cerca de um terço como doença vestibular periférica (DVP). Cães com raça definida foram mais acometidos que aqueles sem raça definida, principalmente Dachshund (DVP) e Boxer (DVC). Os principais sinais clínicos observados, tanto na DVP quanto na DVC, incluíram: inclinação de cabeça, ataxia vestibular e estrabismo ventral ou ventrolateral. Deficiência proprioceptiva, disfunção dos nervos cranianos V-XII e alteração de nível de consciência foram vistos apenas em casos de DVC, já a ausência de reflexo palpebral ocorreu apenas em casos de DVP. Doenças inflamatórias/infecciosas, principalmente cinomose e otite bacteriana, foram as condições mais comumente associadas à DVC e à DVP, respectivamente. Esse artigo estabelece os aspectos epidemiológicos (sexo, idade e raça) e a prevalência dos sinais clínicos observados em cães com doença vestibular na Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul, discute a utilização dos achados clínicos no diagnóstico correto e na diferenciação entre DVC e DVP, e define quais as principais doenças responsáveis pela ocorrência dessas duas síndromes clínicas.

Acute Central Vertigo / 대한이비인후과학회지

Acute vertigo is a common symptom at the otolaryngology clinics or the Emergency Department. Also, many otolaryngologists see these patients first or they are referred from the Emergency Department. Although the stroke incidence in all dizzy patients is relatively low, the misdiagnosis of central vertigo may lead to serious morbidity and even mortality. Nevertheless, it is difficult to diagnose in vertigo patients whether the origin is central or not, especially at the initial visit. The purpose of this clinical review was to investigate clinical findings of acute central vertigo and to suggest the recent advance of differential diagnosis in these patients from peripheral vestibulopathy. We also suggest an appropriate practice for the radiologic investigation in these patients.

Isolated Vascular Vertigo / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Strokes in the distribution of the posterior circulation may present with vertigo, imbalance, and nystagmus. Although the vertigo due to a posterior circulation stroke is usually associated with other neurologic symptoms or signs, small infarcts involving the cerebellum or brainstem can develop vertigo without other localizing symptoms. Approximately 11% of the patients with an isolated cerebellar infarction present with isolated vertigo, nystagmus, and postural unsteadiness mimicking acute peripheral vestibular disorders. The head impulse test can differentiate acute isolated vertigo associated with cerebellar strokes (particularly within the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery) from more benign disorders involving the inner ear. Acute audiovestibular loss may herald impending infarction in the territory of anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Appropriate bedside evaluation is superior to MRIs for detecting central vascular vertigo syndromes. This article reviews the keys to diagnosis of acute isolated vertigo syndrome due to posterior circulation strokes involving the brainstem and cerebellum.

Facial paralysis and vestibular syndrome in feedlot cattle in Argentina / Paralisia facial e síndrome vestibular de bovinos em confinamento

This paper reports 6 outbreaks of neurological disease associated with paralysis of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves caused by intracranial space occupying lesions in feedlot cattle. The clinical signs observed were characterized by head tilt, uni or bilateral drooping and paralysis of the ears, eyelid ptosis, keratoconjunctivitis, and different degrees of ataxia. Morbidity and mortality rates ranged from 1.1 to 50 percent and 0 to 1 percent, respectively. Gross lesions observed included yellow, thickened leptomeninges, and marked enlargement of the roots of cranial nerves VII (facial) and VIII (vestibulocochlear). Histopathologically, there was severe, chronic, granulomatous meningitis and, in one case, chronic, granulomatous neuritis of the VII and VIII cranial nerves. Attempts to identify bacterial, viral, or parasitic agents were unsuccessful. Based on the morphologic lesions, the clinical condition was diagnosed as facial paralysis and vestibular syndrome associated with space occupying lesions in the meninges and the cranial nerves VII and VIII. Feedlot is a practice of growing diffusion in our country and this is a first report of outbreaks of facial paralysis and vestibular disease associated with space occupying lesions in Argentina.

Descrevem-se 6 surtos de uma doença neurológica com paralisia dos nervos facial e vestibulo-coclear causada por lesões intracraniais que ocupam espaço em bovinos em confinamento. Os sinais clínicos foram desvio da cabeça, queda e paralisia das orelhas, ptose palpebral, ceratoconjuntivite e diferentes graus de ataxia. As taxas de morbidade e mortalidade foram de 1.1 por cento-50 por cento e de 0-1 por cento, respectivamente. As lesões macroscópicas incluíram engrossamento das meninges, que se apresentavam amareladas, e marcado engrossamento das raízes dos nervos cranianos VII (facial) e VIII (vestíbulo-coclear). Histologicamente observaram-se meningite crônica granulomatosa e, em um caso, neurite granulomatosa crônica do VII e VIII pares cranianos. Cultivos para bactérias ou vírus resultaram negativos. De acordo com as lesões observadas o quadro clínico foi diagnosticado como paralisia facial e síndrome vestibular associadas a lesões que ocupam espaço nas meninges e nervos cranianos VII e VIII. O confinamento é uma prática em expansão na Argentina e este é o primeiro relato, neste país, de surtos de paralisia facial e síndrome vestibular associados com lesões que ocupam espaço.

Ocular Tilt Reaction

PURPOSE: To report the clinical manifestations of patients with ocular tilt reaction (OTR) and the differential point from other disorders with abnormal head posture. METHODS: The clinical manifestations of four patients who complained of abnormal head posture and diplopia and who were diagnosed to have OTR from January, 2001 to January, 2002 were investigated. The diagnoses were made with alternate cover test, duction and version test, Lancaster test, Bielschowsky head tilt test, fundus photography, and brain MRI. RESULTS: All the four patients showed ipsilateral head tilt, ocular torsion, and vertical deviation. Type of their OTR was tonic OTR. Subjective tilting of visual vertical was observed in one patient. Only with the 3-step test, OTR could be misdiagnosed as an extraocular muscle palsy. The most important sign in differentiation from other disorders of abnormal head posture was ocular torsion. Duction and version examination and tilt of subjective visual vertical were also helpful for the differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: OTR should be considered in patients with ocular torsion, vertical deviation and ipsilateral head tilt. In patients with diplopia and head tilt, examination of ocular torsion should be performed with the 3-step test in order not to make a misdiagnosis of extraocular muscle palsy.