Vestibular, Central, and Non-Vestibular Etiologies of Vertigo and Disequilibrium: A Rural Hospital-Based...

Vertigo/dizziness is defined as disturbed postural awareness and could range from a feeling of sensation of spinning of self or surrounding. Dizziness or disturbed postural awareness is a common presentation in varying age groups. Vertigo has varied clinical presentations. Classically, there are four vertigo syndromes: vertigo, imbalance/disequilibrium, presyncope/lightheadedness, and psychogenic dizziness. The present study was conducted to examine the various etiologies involved in these syndromes and to help unmask the overlaps between them. This study also aimed to further classify the etiologies underlying these vertigo syndromes and overlaps into peripheral or vestibular, central, and non-vestibular. This would help develop a comprehensive management protocol for vertigo of any origin.

A prospective observational cross-sectional study was undertaken in a rural hospital in Central India. We studied patients with giddiness and categorized them into vertigo syndromes according to the site of origin of vertigo. We also compared overlaps in the presentation of vertigo.

Out of the 80 patients that were studied, vertigo with disequilibrium was observed in 72.50% of the patients. Non-vestibular vertigo of cervicogenic origin was the common cause of vertigo seen in 36.25% of the patients occurring alone or in association with vestibular vertigo. Among patients with overlaps, vestibular vertigo with non-vestibular vertigo was the most common etiology observed in 89.65% of the patients with overlaps.

The syndrome of "vertigo with disequilibrium" was the commonest presentation in the patients studied, followed by "vertigo syndrome" as an isolated symptom, not associated with "disequilibrium." Ours is probably the first study to report this observation of overlaps of two syndromes, with diagnostic implications.