Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Differentiating between peripheral and central causes of vertigo

R W Baloh1

  • 1Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095-1769, USA.

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
|July 23, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Differentiating vertigo causes relies on patient history. Central causes like cerebellar infarction can mimic peripheral vertigo, necessitating MRI for acute, severe cases. Duration of vertigo attacks aids diagnosis.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Isolated dizziness in vertebrobasilar insufficiency: Clinical features, angiography, and follow-up.

Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association·2015
Same author

Association of benign recurrent vertigo and migraine in 208 patients.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2009
Same author

Practice parameter: therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

Neurology·2008
Same author

Otolith dysfunction in vestibular neuritis: recovery pattern and a predictor of symptom recovery.

Neurology·2008
Same author

The relevance of migraine in patients with Meńière's disease.

Acta oto-laryngologica·2007
Same author

Primary episodic ataxias: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment.

Brain : a journal of neurology·2007

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Vertigo diagnosis often relies on patient history to differentiate peripheral and central causes.
  • Cerebellar infarction can present with vertigo and imbalance, mimicking peripheral vestibular disorders.
  • Distinguishing between central and peripheral vertigo is crucial for appropriate management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diagnostic challenges in differentiating peripheral and central vertigo.
  • To emphasize the role of patient history and specific clinical features in diagnosis.
  • To outline indications for neuroimaging in acute vertigo.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentation and historical data in vertigo patients.
  • Analysis of differentiating features between central and peripheral vertigo causes.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Discussion of neuroimaging indications, particularly MRI for suspected cerebellar lesions.

    • Main Results:

    • Patient history is key; cerebellar infarction is a central cause that can mimic peripheral vertigo.
    • Vertigo attack duration helps distinguish causes: minutes for vertebrobasilar insufficiency, hours for peripheral causes.
    • Positional vertigo is usually benign but can indicate central lesions; central positional nystagmus is typically vertical with associated neurological findings.

    Conclusions:

    • Accurate differentiation of vertigo causes requires careful historical evaluation.
    • Cerebellar infarction should be considered in acute vertigo with profound imbalance, warranting MRI.
    • Understanding attack duration and nystagmus characteristics aids in distinguishing central from peripheral vertigo.