Different types of dizziness in patients with peripheral vestibular diseases--their prevalence and relation to...

Besides spontaneous attacks of vertigo or unsteadiness, other symptoms, i.e. drop attacks, lateropulsion, illusions that the room or body is tilted, 'walking on pillows' or 'stepping into a hole', occur without precipitating head movement in almost 50% of patients with peripheral vestibular dysfunctions. The sensation of static tilt was closely connected to migraine and Meniere's disease (MD).

To record the prevalence of the different symptoms with respect to vestibular diagnosis and its relation to migraine.

Data from 100 patients with MD, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or unilateral peripheral vestibular impairment (UPVI) were analyzed with respect to vestibular diagnosis and migraine as a secondary diagnosis.

Spontaneous attacks of vertigo or unsteadiness occurred in 74% and 48% of patients, respectively. Vertigo was significantly more often reported in patients with MD and BPPV. In patients with BPPV, the duration of spontaneous vertigo was shorter than in patients with MD. The relative incidence of other symptoms were: unsteadiness, 48%; 'stepping into a hole', 46%; lateropulsion, 35%; 'walking on pillows', 21%; and drop attacks, 19%. Only the sensation of static tilt, which occurred in 8% of patients, was significantly correlated to MD or to migraine.