Vertigo in childhood: a clinical experience

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Pediatric Neurology
• Vestibular Disorders

Background:

• Vertigo in children presents a diverse range of potential diagnoses.
• Normal eardrum and middle ear findings are common in pediatric vertigo cases.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate management and to avoid unnecessary investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate pediatric patients presenting with vertigo and normal otoscopic findings.
• To identify the spectrum of differential diagnoses for vertigo in this specific pediatric population.
• To determine the most frequent causes of vertigo in children with clear middle ear and tympanic membrane status.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 50 pediatric patients (under 18) with vertigo.
• Inclusion criteria: normal eardrum and middle ear findings.
• Analysis of questionnaires, laboratory tests, audiological, and vestibular assessments.

Main Results:

• Migraine was the leading cause of vertigo (34%).
• Other diagnoses included benign paroxysmal vertigo (12%), psychogenic vertigo (10%), and epilepsy (6%).
• Vestibular and hearing abnormalities were identified in a subset of patients.

Conclusions:

• Migraine is the most frequent diagnosis for vertigo in children with normal ear findings.
• A thorough neuro-otologic evaluation is recommended for pediatric vertigo.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration may be necessary for optimal patient care.