Clinical and laboratory evaluations of the vertiginous and dizzy patients

ABSTRACT

Vertigo, a definite rotational sensation, consists of a variety of syndromes. The purpose of this study was to accumulate information on various aspects of vertigo or dizziness. We performed a retrospective study about vertigo patients, who had admitted to our hospital for recent 2 years. From January 1994 to December 1995, 214 patients with the complaints of 'vertigo' and 'dizziness', who admitted to the department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University Hospital, were accepted for this study. All data were recorded on computer-oriented questionnaires in digital forms. The study forms consisted of five parts; (1) history and associated symptoms, (2) physical, neurologic and bedside examinations, (3) laboratory and brain imaging studies, (4) special tests including brainstem auditory evoked potentials and (5) clinical diagnosis. Of these 214 patients, secure diagnosis could be made in 186 patients or 86.9%. Of these, 92 patients had peripheral causes of vertigo, and 94 had central causes. Vestibular disorders accounted for the largest proportion of complaints of vertigo(48/92 or 52%). Of 94 patients with central causes of vertigo, vertebrobasilar insufficiency was the leading cause(25/94 or 27%). The most common site of the brain lesion proved by MRI was cerebellum(23/94 or 25%). BAEP study revealed abnormal findings in 6 cases of the 16 patients with central causes. This study not only offered a clinical information about vertigo, but also could be beneficial for further researches.