Dizziness/vertigo associated with cerebral small vessel disease / 国际脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is mainly manifested as lacunar infarction or lacunar space, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), enlarged perivascular space (EPVS), cerebral microbleeds, and brain atrophy in imaging examination. Studies have shown that WMHs in the frontal lobe, occipital lobe, lateral ventricle, and basal ganglia are the important causes of dizziness/vertigo. The frequency of dizziness/vertigo symptoms increases with the worsening of WMHs. In addition, subcortical infarction, EPVS, and brain atrophy are also closely associated with dizziness/vertigo. Nerve conduction pathway damage, inflammatory infiltrating damage, vestibular degenerative lesions, mental and psychological disorders, and insufficient perfusion of blood vessels associated with large/small vessel disease may be the important ways for triggering dizziness/vertigo in CSDV. Early identification and diagnosis of CSVD-related dizziness/vertigo may contribute to the targeted prevention and treatment.