How Commonly Is Stroke Found in Patients with Isolated Vertigo or Dizziness Attack?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Neurology
• Neurotology

Background:

• Sudden vertigo or dizziness without focal neurological signs often suggests vestibular disorders.
• However, isolated vertigo/dizziness attacks warrant attention for potential underlying stroke.
• This study investigates the frequency of stroke in such patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of stroke in patients presenting with isolated vertigo or dizziness.
• To analyze the clinical features, neuroimaging findings, and outcomes of these patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 221 patients admitted over 10 years for sudden isolated vertigo/dizziness.
• Exclusion of patients with other neurological symptoms besides nystagmus, deafness, or tinnitus.
• Neuroimaging (CT/MRI) and clinical data review.

Main Results:

• Stroke lesions were identified in 11.3% (25/221) of patients.
• Lesions were primarily small and located in the cerebellum, pons, medulla, or corona radiata.
• Most stroke patients (76%) presented with dizziness, and none had neurological dysfunction at discharge.

Conclusions:

• Stroke is a significant finding in 11% of isolated vertigo/dizziness attacks.
• The posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory is a common site for strokes causing isolated vertigo/dizziness.