Translation and validation of a Swedish version of the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to construct and validate a Swedish translation (VVAS-S) of the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The original English VVAS was translated into Swedish by the two authors and back-translated by an independent professional translator. Pilot-tests were performed on two healthy participants and five patients suffering from Visually Induced Dizziness (VID). The translation was deemed understandable by all subjects. Twenty-one patients with VID were recruited to complete the VVAS-S, once in-lab and once at home after 2-3 weeks. Cronbach's alpha, inter-item consistency and internal consistency were calculated.

RESULTS

Test-retest values were reliably strong across all items. Cronbach's alpha was 0.843, which is considered to represent very-high reliability. The corrected-item total-correlation was above 0.3 for all items, meaning they were appropriately associated with one-another. Fourteen out of 36 inter-item correlation interactions were within the 0.2-0.4 range.

CONCLUSIONS

The VVAS-S was found to be comparable to the original VVAS in terms of internal reliability. The translation was perceived as easy to implement by all participants and can be considered ready for clinical use in a Swedish-speaking setting. Item-specific correlations may be valuable for developing future vertigo questionnaires.Key messagesThe Swedish version of the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale is a questionnaire suitable for evaluating visually induced dizziness in a Swedish population. This study found that the Swedish questionnaire was comparable to the original in terms of internal consistency. The Swedish Visual vertigo Analogue Scale can be found as an appendix to this article.

Correlating Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory to Daily Dizziness Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the relationship between Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory (VM-PATHI) scores and daily dizziness symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort analysis of 52 patients with vestibular migraine (VM).

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Fifty-two patients diagnosed with VM or probable VM according to Barany Society criteria.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects reported their dizzy symptoms (on a scale of 0 [no symptoms], 1 [mild], 2 [moderate], and 3 [severe]) every day for 1 month via automated text messaging linked to a cloud-based research database. Subjects completed VM-PATHI and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores at the end of the month. We examined the correlation between a composite of daily dizziness scores with VM-PATHI and DHI scores through linear regression and correlation analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pearson correlation coefficient, R2 value.

RESULTS

VM-PATHI showed a moderate correlation with daily dizziness symptoms (correlation coefficient, 0.51). DHI showed a lower correlation with daily dizziness (correlation coefficient, 0.38). VM-PATHI score was a strong predictor of daily dizziness with univariate linear regression ( R2 = 0.26, p = 0.001). In a multiple linear regression model with age, history of anxiety and/or depression, and VM-PATHI, the VM-PATHI score was the only statistically significant predictor of daily dizziness ( p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Daily dizziness symptoms are better correlated with VM-PATHI score than the DHI, providing further validation of VM-PATHI as a disease-specific outcome measure for patients with VM.

Acute and Longer-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Auditory and Vestibular Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate long-term effects of COVID-19 on auditory and vestibular symptoms in a diverse cohort impacted by the initial 2020 COVID-19 infection in the pandemic's epicenter, before vaccine availability.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study of individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection, diagnosed in the March-May 2020 infection wave. A randomized, retrospective chart review of 1,352 individuals was performed to identify those with documented new or worsening auditory (aural fullness, tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing loss) or vestibular (dizziness, vertigo) symptoms. Those with documented symptoms (613 of the 1,352 initial cohort) were contacted for a follow-up telephone survey in 2021-2022 to obtain self-report of aforementioned symptoms.

SETTING

Academic tertiary hospital system in Bronx, NY.

PATIENTS

Adults 18 to 99 years old with confirmed COVID-19 infection, alive at time of review. One hundred forty-eight charts were excluded for restricted access, incomplete data, no COVID-19 swab, or deceased at time of review.

INTERVENTION

Confirmed COVID-19 infection, March to May 2020.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Auditory and vestibular symptoms documented in 2020 medical records and by self-report on 2021 to 2022 survey.

RESULTS

Among the 74 individuals with documented symptoms during the first 2020 COVID-19 wave who participated in the 2021 to 2022 follow-up survey, 58% had documented vestibular symptoms initially in 2020, whereas 43% reported vestibular symptoms on the 2021 to 2022 survey ( p = 0.10). In contrast, 9% had documented auditory symptoms initially in 2020 and 55% reported auditory symptoms on the 2021 to 2022 survey ( p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 may impact vestibular symptoms early and persistently, whereas auditory effects may have more pronounced long-term impact, suggesting the importance of continually assessing COVID-19 patients.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) and quality of life: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

To determine if Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is associated with increased burden of dizziness and quality of life. Secondly, if this association is present, to determine if it can be explained by differences in anxiety and/or depression between patients with PPPD and dizzy patients without PPPD.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study performed in an outpatient otolaryngology clinic, including patients 18-67 years referred from primary care for suspected vestibular disease with chronic dizziness. Patients underwent clinical examination and completed the following questionnaires: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), RAND-12 Health Status Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scores in DHI and RAND-12 were compared between patients diagnosed with PPPD and patients without PPPD.

RESULTS

202 patients were included. 150 (74%) were women and 37 (18%) were diagnosed with PPPD. Patients in the PPPD group had increased burden of dizziness and reduced quality of life (QoL) as shown by a higher mean DHI score (49.2 vs. 30.8; p < 0.001) and reduced mean RAND-12 physical score (39.0 vs. 44.6; p = 0.004). After adjusting for age, gender and HADS, PPPD was associated with a 15.3 (p < 0.001) points increase in DHI score, and a 4.0 (p = 0.020) points decrease in RAND-12 physical score.

CONCLUSION

Patients with PPPD have a higher burden of dizziness and a lower physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to other dizzy patients. The difference was evident also after adjusting for anxiety and depression, illustrating how PPPD is a different entity than these common psychiatric conditions.

Vestibular evoked myogenic and auditory brainstem evoked potentials in a female migraine population

Background and purpose

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) response characteristics and to understand the pathophy­siology of vestibular dysfunction in female migraineurs with vertigo symptoms. We also aimed to assess the electrophysiological di­­agnostic significance of the VEMP respon­ses in vestibular migraine (VM). 

.

Methods

23 patients with migraine without aura (MoA), 23 patients with VM, and 20 sex-and age-matched healthy controls, a total of 66 female participants were enrolled in this study. The outcome parameters were asymmetry ratios (ARs), amplitudes of oVEMP, cVEMP, N1P1, P13N23, and the respective latencies (mean ± SD). From the BAEP graphs, absolute and interpeak interval latencies of waves were analyzed. 

.

Results

30.4% of the MoA group and 21.7% of the VM group had uni- or bilaterally absent cVEMP responses which were statistically significant only in the MoA group (p=0.035) in comparison to control group. Both groups displayed statistically insignificant absent or asymmetrical responses for oVEMP (13.1%). Cervical VEMP P13 and N23 latency, peak-to-peak amplitude, interaural latencies, and amplitude ARs did not show any significant difference between MoA and VM patients and healthy controls. No significant difference was detected among the three groups in the oVEMP and BAEP parameters.

.

Conclusion

Although absent cVEMP responses were more common in MoA and VM patients than in healthy individuals, the VEMP and BAEP test results should not be used in the differential diagnosis of VM and MoA. 

.

Developing an implementation intervention for managing acute vertigo in the emergency department

BACKGROUND

There are evidence-based bedside tests for diagnosing acute vertigo, but no evidence-based strategies to support clinicians in implementing them. The purpose of this study was to design an implementation strategy for treating acute vertigo by examining current facilitators and barriers to using these tests in the ED using the principles of implementation science.

METHODS

A survey was developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to examine barriers and facilitators for using HINTS+ (head impulse, nystagmus, test of skew, plus hearing) and Dix-Hallpike tests. The survey was sent to emergency clinicians (ECs) in a teaching hospital in London, UK, between May and September 2022. Semistructured interviews were conducted simultaneously, and data examined using direct content analysis. Implementation strategies were then selected based on the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change framework.

RESULTS

Fifty-one ECs responded to the survey and six ECs volunteered for interview. Less than half reported using the bedside tests to make a diagnosis. The most common barriers were beliefs about complexity, a lack of supporting materials, memory, lack of skills and negative experiences. The interview data revealed negative beliefs about the necessity, validity, safety and practicality. There were also barriers in the ED environment (eg, lack of space). There was a strong perception that the current approach to managing acute vertigo needed to change and ECs view this as part of their professional role and responsibility. Based on clinician input, the authors selected strategies to improve diagnostic efforts, which included guidelines for training, developing vertigo champions, protocols, memory aids, audit and feedback.

CONCLUSION

This study found several barriers to managing acute vertigo such as memory constraints, and inadequate supporting materials and training, although a robust desire for change. The implementation strategy's initial phase is described, which must now be tested.

Head impulse, nystagmus, and test of skew examination for diagnosing central causes of acute vestibular syndrome

BACKGROUND

Dizziness is a common reason for people to seek medical care. Acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) is a specific type of dizziness, which can include severe vertigo, nausea and vomiting, nystagmus, or unsteadiness. Acute vestibular syndrome can be due to peripheral or central causes. It is important to determine the cause, as the intervention and outcomes differ if it is from a peripheral or central cause. Clinicians can assess for the cause using risk factors, patient history, examination findings, or advanced imaging, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The head impulse, nystagmus, test of skew (HINTS) examination is a three-part examination performed by clinicians to determine if AVS is due to a peripheral or central cause. This includes assessing how the eyes move in response to rapidly turning a person's head (head impulse), assessing the direction of involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), and assessing whether the eyes are aligned or misaligned (test of skew). The HINTS Plus examination includes an additional assessment of auditory function.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the HINTS and HINTS Plus examinations, with or without video assistance, for identifying a central etiology for AVS.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, the International HTA database, and two trials registers to September 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all retrospective and prospective diagnostic test accuracy studies that evaluated the HINTS or HINTS Plus test used in a primary care clinic, an urgent care clinic, the emergency department, or during inpatient hospitalization against a final diagnosis of a central etiology of AVS, as defined by the reference standard of advanced imaging or final diagnosis by a neurologist.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently determined eligibility of each study according to eligibility criteria, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias, and determined the certainty of evidence. Disagreements were adjudicated by consensus or a third review author if needed. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of the HINTS and HINTS Plus examinations for identifying a central etiology for AVS, conducted clinically (clinician visual assessment) or with video assistance (e.g. video recording with goggles); we independently assessed the clinical and video-assisted examinations. Subgroup analyses were performed by provider type (e.g. physicians, non-physicians), time from symptom onset to presentation (e.g. less than 24 hours, longer than 24 hours), reference standard (e.g. advanced imaging, discharge diagnosis), underlying etiology (e.g. ischemic stroke, alternative etiologies [hemorrhagic stroke, intracranial mass]), study setting (e.g. outpatient [outpatient clinic, urgent care clinic, emergency department], inpatient), physician level of training (e.g. resident, fellow/attending), physician specialty (e.g. otolaryngology, emergency medicine, neurology, and neurologic subspecialist [e.g. neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-otology]), and individual diagnostic accuracy of each component of the examination (e.g. head impulse, direction-changing nystagmus, test of skew). We created 2 x 2 tables of the true positives, true negatives, false positives, and false negatives and used these data to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 studies with a total of 2024 participants (981 women and 1043 men) with a mean age of 60 years. Twelve studies assessed the HINTS examination; five assessed the HINTS Plus examination. Thirteen studies were performed in the emergency department; half were performed by neurologists. The clinical HINTS examination (12 studies, 1890 participants) was 94.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 82.0% to 98.2%) sensitive, and 86.9% (95% CI 75.3% to 93.6%) specific (low-certainty evidence). The video-assisted HINTS examination (3 studies, 199 participants) was 85.0% to 100% sensitive (low-certainty evidence), and 38.9% to 100% specific (very low-certainty evidence). The clinical HINTS Plus examination (5 studies, 451 participants) was 95.3% (95% CI 78.4% to 99.1%) sensitive, and 72.9% (95% CI 44.4% to 90.1%) specific (low-certainty evidence). The video-assisted HINTS Plus examination (2 studies, 163 participants) was 85.0% to 93.8% sensitive, and 28.6% to 38.9% specific (moderate-certainty evidence). Subgroup analyses were limited, as most studies were conducted in the emergency department, by physicians, and with MRI as a reference standard. Time from symptom onset to presentation varied across studies. Three studies were at high risk of bias and three studies were at unclear risk of bias for participant selection. Three studies were at unclear risk of bias for the index test. Four studies were at unclear risk of bias for the reference standard. Two studies were at unclear risk of bias for flow and timing. One study had unclear applicability concerns for participant selection. Two studies had high applicability concerns for the index test and two studies had unclear applicability concerns for the index test. No studies had applicability concerns for the reference standard.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The HINTS and HINTS Plus examinations had good sensitivity and reasonable specificity for diagnosing a central cause for AVS in the emergency department when performed by trained clinicians. Overall, the evidence was of low certainty. There were limited data for the role of video-assistance or specific subgroups. Future research should include more high-quality studies of the HINTS and HINTS Plus examination; assessment of inter-rater reliability across users; accuracy across different providers, specialties, and experience; and direct comparison with no HINTS or MRI to assess the effect on clinical care.

Outcomes and Patient Experience in Individuals With Longstanding Dizziness

PURPOSE

This study aimed to describe the relationship between changes in pre and post self-perceived dizziness handicap, scores on the patient health questionnaire, and perceptions of patient's value of being evaluated and managed by a multidisciplinary team.

METHOD

Seventy-eight patients completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-Fourth Edition (PHQ-4) questionnaires post multidisciplinary clinical consultations and testing for the chief complaints of dizziness, unsteadiness, vertigo, or balance problems. The diagnoses of each patient were recorded from the clinical reports of each specialty consultation and were classified as structural, functional, or psychiatric. They were contacted by phone at least 6 months after their visit to obtain feedback regarding their symptoms and overall patient experience.

RESULTS

The change in DHI total score did not differ significantly by diagnosis (p = .56), indicating that patients experienced an improvement in DHI total score regardless of diagnosis. PHQ-4 anxiety scores worsened by a mean of 0.7 points for those with structural diagnoses (p = .04), improved by a mean of 0.7 points for psychiatric diagnoses (p = .16), and improved by a mean of 0.3 points for functional diagnoses (p = .39). Only seven patients would not recommend the team to a family or friend; these patients tended to report worsening DHI total scores (p = .27) compared to the significant improvement in DHI total scores for patients who would make such a recommendation (p < .001). Similarly, only 13 patients did not feel the information they received had a positive impact; these patients tended to report worsening DHI total scores (p = .18) compared to the significant improvement in DHI total scores for patients who did feel the information had a positive impact (p < .001).

DISCUSSION

The assessment and management of patients with chronic dizziness is challenging due to symptoms arising from multiple etiologies. Our finding of a vast difference between high satisfaction and relatively unchanged dizziness handicap suggests that there is value in seeing a multidisciplinary team where consultations are unhurried, care is coordinated, and expectations regarding treatment can be managed.

[Validity of the German Menière's Disease Patient-Oriented Symptom Severity Index]

BACKGROUND

The MD POSI is a disease-specific questionnaire to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with Menière's disease (MD).

OBJECTIVES

Validity and reliability of the German translation of the MD POSI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective data analysis of a patient group with vertigo (n = 162), which was treated in the otorhinolaryngology of a University Hospital from 2005-2019. A clinical selection was made according to the new Bárány classification in a "definite" and "probable" Menière's disease. HRQoL was assessed using the German translation of the MD POSI, the Vertigo Symptom Score (VSS) and the Short Form (SF-36). Reliability was measured by Cronbach's α and test-retesting after 12 months and again 2 weeks later. Content and agreement validity were examined.

RESULTS

Cronbach α values greater than 0.9 indicated good internal consistency. There was no statistically significant difference from baseline to 12 months, except for the subscore "during the attack". There were significant positive correlations between the VSS overall/VER/AA and the overall index of the MD POSI and negative significant correlations with the SF-36 domains physical functioning, physical role functioning, social functioning, emotional role functioning, mental well-being. There were low SRM (standardized response mean) values below 0.5.

CONCLUSIONS

The German translation of the MD POSI is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the impact of MD on patients' disease-specific quality of life.

CSF cytology in a patient with vertigo and earache

Large atypical cells in cerebrospinal fluid in a patient with earache and vertigo. In this Enigma Portal case, we described uncommon cerebrospinal fluid findings in a case of vertigo and earache in a 40-year-old man.

Cerebellopontine angle tumor presenting as acute audiovestibular syndrome

BACKGROUND

Acute audiovestibular deficits may be a harbinger of vestibular schwannoma (VS).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical and laboratory features of 25 consecutive patients with VS presenting with acute audiovestibular deficits.

METHODS

A symptomatic combination of acute audiovestibular deficits was investigated. Audiometric and vestibular function tests, and internal auditory canal magnetic resonance imaging (IAC MRI) results were evaluated.

RESULTS

Varying combinations of symptoms may develop in VS patients with acute audiovestibular deficits, of whom sudden hearing loss (HL) without acute vertigo or acute facial nerve palsy (FNP) was most common. The most common audiometric configuration was high-tone hearing loss, and no patient showed low-tone hearing loss. IAC MRI demonstrated that the tumor had an intracanalicular portion and attachment to the bony IAC wall in all patients and widened the IAC wall in some patients.

CONCLUSION

Different symptomatic combinations of acute audiovestibular deficits may develop in patients with VS. Awareness about the possibility of VS as a cause of sudden HL, acute vertigo, and acute FNP, as well as subsequent IAC MRI scanning is vital to earlier diagnosis of VS in these patients.

Factors That Impact the Long-Term Outcome of Postconcussive Dizziness Among Post-9/11 Veterans

PURPOSE

The primary aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with long-term outcomes of postconcussive disruptive dizziness in Veterans of the post-9/11 wars.

METHOD

For this observational cohort study, the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory-Vestibular subscale (NSI-V) score was used as an outcome measure for dizziness in 987 post-9/11 Veterans who indicated disruptive dizziness at an initial Veterans Health Administration Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE). An NSI-V change score was calculated as the difference in the scores obtained at the initial CTBIE and on a subsequent survey. Differences in the NSI-V change scores were examined for demographics, injury characteristics, comorbidities, and vestibular and balance function variables, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore associations among the variables and the NSI-V change score.

RESULTS

The majority of Veterans (61%) demonstrated a decrease in the NSI-V score, suggesting less dizziness on the survey compared with the CTBIE; 16% showed no change; and 22% had a higher score. Significant differences in the NSI-V change score were observed for traumatic brain injury (TBI) status, diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), headache and insomnia, and vestibular function. Multivariate regressions revealed significant associations between the NSI-V change score and the initial CTBIE NSI-V score, education level, race/ethnicity, TBI status, diagnoses of PTSD or hearing loss, and vestibular function.

CONCLUSIONS

Postconcussive dizziness can continue for years following an injury. Factors associated with poor prognosis include TBI, diagnoses of PTSD or hearing loss, abnormal vestibular function, increased age, identification as a Black Veteran, and high school education level.

Neurotological emergencies: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Vestibular symptoms, including vertigo, dizziness, and gait unsteadiness, are a frequent reason of urgent medical assistance. Their causes are numerous and diverse, including neurological, otorhinolaryngological, and systemic diseases. Therefore, following a systematic approach is essential to differentiate striking but benign conditions from others that can compromise the patient's life. This study is intended to review vestibular disorders from a practical perspective and provide guidance to physicians involved in the emergency care of patients with vestibular symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A narrative review was performed, revisiting the main causes of vestibular disorders.

RESULTS

Based on the speed of onset, duration, and history of similar episodes in the past, vestibular disorders can be categorized into three syndromic entities (acute, recurrent, and chronic vestibular syndromes). The most representative conditions pertaining to each group were reviewed (including their diagnosis and treatment) and a practical algorithm was proposed for their correct management in the acute care setting.

CONCLUSIONS

Carrying out a correct categorization of the vestibular disorders is essential to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. This review provides useful tools for clinicians to approach their patients with vestibular symptoms at the emergency room.

Pearls for the Emergency Clinician: Posterior Circulation Stroke

BACKGROUND

Posterior circulation (PC) stroke in adults is a rare, frequently misdiagnosed, serious condition that carries a high rate of morbidity.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW

This review evaluates the presentation, diagnosis, and management of PC stroke in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence.

DISCUSSION

PC stroke presents most commonly with dizziness or vertigo and must be distinguished from more benign diagnoses. Emergency clinicians should consider this condition in patients with dizziness, even in younger patients and those who do not have traditional stroke risk factors. Neurologic examination for focal neurologic deficit, dysmetria, dysarthria, ataxia, and truncal ataxia is essential, as is the differentiation of acute vestibular syndrome vs. spontaneous episodic vestibular syndrome vs. triggered episodic vestibular syndrome. The HINTS (head impulse, nystagmus, and test of skew) examination can be useful for identifying dizziness presentations concerning for stroke when performed by those with appropriate training. However, it should only be used in patients with continuous dizziness who have ongoing nystagmus. Contrast tomography (CT), CT angiography, and CT perfusion have limited sensitivity for identifying PC strokes, and although magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard, it may miss some PC strokes early in their course. Thrombolysis is recommended in patients presenting within the appropriate time window for thrombolytic therapy, and although some data suggest endovascular therapy for basilar artery and posterior cerebral artery infarcts is beneficial, its applicability for all PC strokes remains to be determined.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of PC stroke can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this disease.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness: Review and Update on Key Mechanisms of the Most Common Functional Neuro-otologic Disorder

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a functional neuro-otologic (vestibular) disorder manifesting dizziness, unsteadiness, or nonspinning vertigo lasting 3 months or more and exacerbated by upright posture, active or passive motion, and complex visual stimuli. PPPD is the most common cause of chronic vestibular symptoms. Early pathophysiologic models of PPPD emphasized the adverse effects of anxiety on postural control and spatial orientation. More recent concepts added predictive processing of sensory inputs and alterations in motion perception. Herein, a third-generation model incorporates prioritization of postural stability over fluid locomotion to explain symptoms, physiologic and neuroimaging data, and effects of current treatments.

Video head impulse and suppression head impulse test in vestibular migraine

BACKGROUND

Vestibular Migraine (VM) is a frequent cause of recurrent spontaneous vertigo. While some report a normal Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) in VM, others observed abnormal results on this test. Whether or not methodological discrepancies could be the cause of these differences is not known. There are 2 vHIT methods: subjects fixating an earth-fixed target (HIMP paradigm) or a head-fixed target, the suppression head impulse test (SHIMP paradigm).

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to compare VM patients against healthy controls on both HIMP and SHIMP in order to unravel any differences between them.

METHODS

Forty-eight VM patients and 27 healthy controls tested with both the HIMP and SHIMP paradigm. Results: Our 48 VM patients showed mean VOR normal range gains in both the HIMP and SHIMP paradigms, although there were some VOR impairments in individual semicircular SCCs. VM patients with motion sickness had lower horizontal VOR gain than those without motion sickness, with the HIMP, but not the SHIMP paradigm.

CONCLUSION

VM patients have normal VOR gain with either vHIT paradigm.

SIGNIFICANCE

The clinical significance of this observation is that a definitely abnormal vHIT with either method is unlikely to be due to vestibular migraine and an alternative diagnosis should be sought.

Prognosis of Acute Low-Tone Hearing Loss Without Vertigo: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

Despite its relatively high prevalence, our understanding of the natural clinical course of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) without vertigo remains incomplete. The purpose of this study is to summarize the findings of studies that evaluated recovery from hearing loss (HL), recurrence and/or fluctuation of HL, and progression to Meniere's Disease (MD) of patients presenting with ALHL without vertigo.

METHODS

A scoping review of the English literature was performed. On May 14, 2020 and July 6, 2022, MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched to identify articles related to the prognosis of ALHL. To be included, articles had to present outcomes that were clearly distinguishable for patients with ALHL without vertigo. Two reviewers evaluated articles for inclusion and extracted data. Disagreements were adjudicated by a third reviewer.

RESULTS

Forty-one studies were included. There was extensive heterogeneity between studies in regard to defining ALHL, treatment methods, and time of follow-up. Most of the cohorts (39 out of 40) reported partial or complete recovery of hearing in the majority (>50%) of patients, although reports of recurrence were relatively common. Progression to MD was infrequently reported. Shorter time from onset of symptoms to treatment predicted better hearing outcomes in 6 of 8 studies.

CONCLUSION

The literature suggests that although the majority of patients with ALHL experience hearing improvement, recurrence and/or fluctuation are common, and progression to MD occurs in a minority of patients. Additional trials utilizing standardized inclusion and outcome criteria are needed to determine the ideal treatment for ALHL.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 133:2457-2469, 2023.

Vertigo and dizziness in children: When to consider a neurological cause

Vertigo is common in childhood and adolescence. Although children and adults share common causes of vertigo, epidemiology changes with aging. For instance, ischemic stroke is less frequent in childhood, whereas audiovestibular disorders, such as vestibular neuritis and the migraine equivalent, are the leading causes of vertigo. However, even if severe causes of vertigo are rare, clinicians must not miss them. In this review, we discuss the neurological causes of central vertigo in children. The diagnostic approaches reviewed here are focused on the search for signs of severity, such as an abrupt onset, infectious context, or intracranial hypertension, which may subsequently require brain imaging.

Quantitative Evaluations of Vestibular Function in Patients With Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granulomas Treated With an Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Approach: A Report of Two Cases

OBJECTIVE

We report two cases of petrous apex cholesterol granuloma (PACG) treated with an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Vestibular functions of the two patients were evaluated quantitatively by video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and/or vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs).

PATIENTS

Two patients with PACG who experienced episodes of dizziness are presented.

INTERVENTION

An endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to PACG.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The preoperative and postoperative vestibular functions as evaluated by vHIT and VEMP.

RESULTS

Two cases of PACG were treated by a transsphenoidal approach. The internal auditory canal was compressed by the PACG in both cases. The patients both experienced episodes of dizziness before surgery and preoperative vestibular testing including vHIT and VEMP indicated dysfunction of vestibular nerves. After surgery, their symptoms were completely resolved, and the vestibular testing results were improved.

CONCLUSIONS

This article is noteworthy for being the first to publish quantitative vestibular function testing for patients with PACG with vestibular dysfunction. PACG may show various symptoms, with dizziness being one of the most common symptoms. In cases in which the internal auditory canal is compressed by the PACG, vestibular functions should be evaluated by vHIT and VEMP. In the present cases, dizziness was found to be resolved by surgery to release the compression on internal auditory canal. Based on the present cases, the transsphenoidal approach is considered to be both safe and effective.

Endolymphatic hydrops imaging and correlation with clinical characteristics, audiovestibular function and mental impairment in patients with Meniere's disease

PURPOSE

MR imaging was used to visualize the vestibular and cochlear endolymphatic hydrops in patients with Meniere's disease (MD). The relationship between the degree of hydrops and clinical characteristics, audiovestibular function, anxiety and depression state in MD patients.

METHODS

70 patients with definitely or probably unilateral Meniere's disease received bilateral intratympanic gadolinium administration and MR scanning. The degree of bilateral vestibular and cochlea hydrops were analyzed and evaluated by three-dimensional real inversion recovery (3D-real IR) sequence, and the correlation between the grades of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and disease course, vertigo grading assessment, the duration of vertigo, hearing loss level, caloric test, vestibular myogenic evoked potential (VEMP), electrocochleogram (EcoG), vertigo disability scale (physical, emotional, functional), anxiety and depression scale were studied.

RESULTS

It was found that the vestibule and cochlea EH of the affected and the contralateral ear had different degrees of hydrops and there was no statistical difference between the left and right vestibules. The degree of vestibule EH (V-EH) was significantly positively correlated with the degree of cochlear EH (C-EH). C-EH and hearing loss level were positively correlated with EcoG. There was positive correlation between vestibular EH and hearing loss level, VEMP, caloric test, disease course or vertigo duration. There was a negative relationship between Dizziness Handicap Inventory (Emotion) (DHI(E)) and VEMP. Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores were positive correlated with DHI(E) and DHI total scores in MD patients.

CONCLUSION

Endolymph-enhancing MRI was used as an important imaging method for the diagnosis of labyrinthine hydrops in Meniere's disease. There were certain correlation between EH and the degree of vertigo attack, hearing loss level, vestibular function, and further changes in anxiety and depression emotion.

VM-PATHI Correlates With Cognitive Function Improvement After Successful Treatment in Patients With Vestibular Migraine

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in cognitive function in vestibular migraine patients undergoing treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

Single-institution tertiary-care center.

PATIENTS

Thirty-four patients with vestibular migraine were included in the study. Average age at diagnosis was 47.9 years. A majority of patients (91.2%) were female.

INTERVENTIONS

Vestibular therapies included pharmacologic treatment (67.6%), mindfulness-based stress reduction (58.8%), vestibular physical therapy (20.6%), and lifestyle changes only (2.9%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaires were collected including the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory (VM-PATHI), and Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

RESULTS

Median time between pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaire was 4.4 months (range, 2.8-15.6. mo). CFQ scores decreased in subjects who responded to treatment, as defined by those with a positive change in VM-PATHI score (average decrease, 6.5; p = 0.03). CFQ scores did not improve in subjects who had no improvement in their vestibular condition, as defined by no change or an increase in VM-PATHI score (average increase, 2.0; p = 0.53). Univariate linear regression showed that VM-PATHI score change was highly predictive of CFQ change ( p < 0.01, r2 = 0.36). Multivariate regression demonstrated that the VM-PATHI ( p = 0.03) and not the Dizziness Handicap Inventory ( p = 0.10) predicted changes in CFQ score.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported cognitive dysfunction improves with successful treatment of vestibular migraine.

Evaluation of vestibular functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

BACKGROUND

To determine the anatomical proximity of the vestibular nuclei to the respiratory nuclei and the effect of susceptibility of the posterior labyrinth to a hypoxic state on the vestibular system.

OBJECTIVE

It was aimed to evaluate the possible effects of periodic hypoxia on vestibular reflexes and proprioceptive perception in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted with 40 patients diagnosed with moderate and severe OSAS and 21 healthy individuals. All individuals were evaluated with Dizziness Handicap Inventory, ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), video head impulse test (vHIT), videonystagmography (VNG) and sportKAT 3000.

RESULTS

In the vHIT, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of anterior and posterior semicircular canal vestibulo-ocular reflex gains (p < .05). A negative correlation was found between the lateral gain asymmetry and RALP gain asymmetry and the awake blood oxygen level in the OSAS groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of wave response rates cVEMP 100 dB nHL and oVEMP 100-110 dB nHL (p < .05).

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

It was concluded that vestibular reflexes and proprioceptive perception were affected due to periodic/chronic hypoxia in patients with moderate and severe OSAS.

[Clinical characteristics of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with acute cerebral infarction]

Objective: To analyze the clinical and imaging features of patients with sudden sensorineural deafness and acute cerebral infarction in order to provide evidence for early recognition of such diseases. Methods: This was a case series reporting study. A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and imaging data of 29 patients with sudden hearing loss (SHL) who admitted to the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 and diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction using MRI-DWI. Results: The patients were aged 31-71 years, with an average age of 56±12 years, and 82.8% (24/29) were men. In total, 82.8% (24/29) of the patients had three or more atherosclerotic risk factors, and 24.1% (7/29) had a history of SHL. The hearing types were flat and total deafness: 86.2% (25/29) of the patients had severe hearing loss, 27.6% (8/29) had bilateral SHL, 17.2% (5/29) had further hearing loss during hospitalization, and 82.8% (24/29) had dizziness or vertigo at the onset. The signs of central nervous system involvement mainly included speech impairment, diplopia, dysphagia, central facial paralysis, facial and limb hypoesthesia, ataxia, and decreased muscle strength. Imaging evaluation showed that 21 cases were located in the posterior circulation supply area and 8 cases in the anterior circulation supply area. Additionally, 82.8% (24/29) patients had vertebrobasilar artery stenosis, and 58.6% (17/29) patients had severe vertebrobasilar artery stenosis or occlusion. Conclusions: Patients with SHL who progress to cerebral infarction often have multiple atherosclerotic risk factors and SHL. Most of the patients are middle-aged and older men who often complain of dizziness or dizziness accompanied by severe flat and total deafness with unilateral or bilateral SHL. Imaging findings suggest that most patients have posterior circulation infarction, often accompanied by severe stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar artery.

Unilateral non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy presenting as isolated ictal vertigo: a case report

Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common focal epilepsy syndrome and has a broad spectrum of presentations. Nevertheless, isolated vestibular symptoms without other symptoms typical of temporal lobe seizures are relatively rare. Here, we report one female patient who suffered from chronic refractory vertigo and had inappropriate pharmacotherapy for several years. Eventually, epileptic vertigo and dizziness (ictal vertigo) were accurately diagnosed by detailed history taking and serial examinations assisted by sphenoid electroencephalography. Awareness of this unique syndrome is important in the diagnosis of patients with epileptic vertigo and dizziness.

Acute vestibular neuritis may provoke atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Exclusion of stroke is the focus of guidelines in the emergency department assessment of acute vertigo, especially with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Early diagnosis of vestibular neuritis (VN) is also important but may be deferred awaiting brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for exclusion of stroke. This may delay potentially beneficial corticosteroid therapy.

AIMS

To highlight that VN can provoke acute AF.

METHODS

In the course of a prospective study of acute vertigo in patients assessable within 24 h of admission, we encountered three patients with acute onset transient AF associated with VN. We performed a detailed neurological examination and quantitated the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain with video-oculography. Brain MRI was performed in all patients.

RESULTS

There were two men and one woman, aged 58-66 (mean 61) years. All patients had typical non-direction-changing rotatory nystagmus and positive head impulse tests. The horizontal VOR gains ranged 0.38-0.62 (mean 0.47). Diffusion-weighted MRI within 36 h was normal in all. AF reverted in all three within 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute AF can be precipitated by vertigo such as in VN. In VN, the concurrence of acute AF may distract from the correct neurological diagnosis, delaying potentially beneficial corticosteroid therapy, especially if exclusion of stroke is dependent on MRI, which may be delayed.

[Animal models of balance pathologies: New tools to study peripheral vestibulopathies]

The different types of peripheral vestibulopathies (PVs) or peripheral vestibular disorders (PVDs) are essentially diagnosed on the basis of their clinical expression. The heterogeneity of vestibular symptoms makes it difficult to stratify patients for therapeutic management. Animal models of PVs are a good mean to search for clinical evaluation criteria allowing to objectively analyze the kinetics of expression of the vertigo syndrome and to evaluate the benefits of therapeutic strategies, whether they are pharmacological or rehabilitative. The question of the predictability of these animal models is therefore crucial for the identification of behavioral and biological biomarkers that could then be used in the human clinic. In this review, we propose an overview of the different animal models of PVs, and discuss their relevance for the understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the development of new and more targeted therapeutic approaches.

SAEM issued 4 strong recommendations (high-certainty evidence) for determining cause of acute vestibular syndrome in the ED

SOURCE CITATION

Edlow JA, Carpenter C, Akhter M, et al. Guidelines for reasonable and appropriate care in the emergency department 3 (GRACE-3): acute dizziness and vertigo in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2023;30:442-486. 37166022.

[EVALUATION OF THE DIZZY PATIENT - FROM THE VESTIBULAR IMPAIRMENT TO THE PATIENT'S FUNCTIONAL ABILITY]

The vestibular system - the sixth sense - allows humans to preserve balance, stable vision, and body orientation in space. This system performs a continuous integration of the activity of the vestibular end-organ in the inner ear, the sense of sight, and the proprioceptive sense. Damage to the components of the vestibular system causes dizziness, imbalance, and poor orientation in space. Following vestibular injury, central compensation mechanisms are recruited to reduce the symptoms and improve the functional ability of the dizzy patient. Dizziness is a subjective complaint. Yet, the development that has taken place in the field of vestibular function testing allows accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and disability assessment of the dizzy patient. The dizzy patient must be examined meticulously, taking into account all the levels on which the vestibular impairment can affect (physiological, behavioral, and functional). Meaning, clinical and laboratory evaluation of the vestibular function together with functional testing of the patient. In this article, the authors present the range of existing innovative tests of the vestibular system. Vestibular tests are accepted in advanced vestibular laboratories in Israel and around the world, and enable assimilation in vestibular clinics and medical committees in Israel.

Vertigo symptom scores and videonystagmographic examinations in recovered coronavirus disease 2019 patients

OBJECTIVE

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may be among the viral agents that affect the audio-vestibular system. This study aimed to investigate vestibular symptoms and videonystagmographic examinations in recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients compared with the control group.

METHOD

The patients were evaluated with Vertigo Symptom Scale questionnaire and audiometric, tympanometric, stapedial reflex and videonystagmographic examinations.

RESULTS

A total of 92 of the patients in the coronavirus disease 2019 patients group and 25 of the volunteers in the control group were included in the study. The mean Vertigo Symptom Scale score was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the coronavirus disease 2019 group. Furthermore, one of the hospitalised patients was diagnosed with vestibular neuritis.

CONCLUSION

The vestibular system may also be affected in some coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Although this may be seen as dizziness in some patients, in rare cases it can cause severe issues, such as vestibular neuritis.

Impact of Clinician Training Background and Stroke Location on Bedside Diagnostic Test Accuracy in the Acute Vestibular Syndrome - A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Acute dizziness/vertigo is usually due to benign inner-ear causes but is occasionally due to dangerous neurologic ones, particularly stroke. Because symptoms and signs overlap, misdiagnosis is frequent and overuse of neuroimaging is common. We assessed the accuracy of bedside findings to differentiate peripheral vestibular from central neurologic causes.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search (MEDLINE and Embase) to identify studies reporting on diagnostic accuracy of physical examination in adults with acute, prolonged dizziness/vertigo ("acute vestibular syndrome" [AVS]). Diagnostic test properties were calculated for findings. Results were stratified by examiner type and stroke location.

RESULTS

We identified 6,089 citations and included 14 articles representing 10 study cohorts (n = 800). The Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew (HINTS) eye movement battery had high sensitivity 95.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 92.5-98.1) and specificity 92.6% (95% CI = 88.6-96.5). Sensitivity was similar by examiner type (subspecialists 94.3% [95% CI = 88.2-100.0] vs non-subspecialists 95.0% [95% CI = 91.2-98.9], p = 0.55), but specificity was higher among subspecialists (97.6% [95% CI = 94.9-100.0] vs 89.1% [95% CI = 83.0-95.2], p = 0.007). HINTS sensitivity was lower in anterior cerebellar artery (AICA) than posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) strokes (84.0% [95% CI = 65.3-93.6] vs 97.7% [95% CI = 93.3-99.2], p = 0.014) but was "rescued" by the addition of bedside hearing tests (HINTS+). Severe (grade 3) gait/truncal instability had high specificity 99.2% (95% CI = 97.8-100.0) but low sensitivity 35.8% (95% CI = 5.2-66.5). Early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI; within 24-48 hours) was falsely negative in 15% of strokes (sensitivity 85.1% [95% CI = 79.2-91.0]).

INTERPRETATION

In AVS, HINTS examination by appropriately trained clinicians can differentiate peripheral from central causes and has higher diagnostic accuracy for stroke than MRI-DWI in the first 24-48 hours. These techniques should be disseminated to all clinicians evaluating dizziness/vertigo. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:295-308.

Balance disorders and migraine

BACKGROUND

Migraine is associated with motion sensitivity symptoms such as kinetosis, vestibular symptoms and balance alterations. While focus is given to headache management, addressing these symptoms is often neglected, although they are related to additional migraine burden and increased disability.

PURPOSE

Our aim is to disseminate the current understanding of the motion sensitivity symptoms among patients with migraine, with focus on balance impairments. We discuss the susceptibility of migraine to motion sensitivity, its suggested mechanisms, the balance alterations during quiet standing, mobility tasks and reactions to external perturbations. The role of migraine subdiagnosis, implications for clinical practice and future perspectives are also acknowledged.

IMPLICATIONS

Balance disorders are one of the signs reflecting a broader and complex spectrum of motion sensitivity, which are present even between attacks. Migraineurs are especially inherent to these symptoms probably due to brain hyperexcitability and to shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Patients, especially with aura and chronic migraine, exhibit balance instability during quiet standing under different surface and visual input conditions. Migraineurs demonstrated reduced limits of stability and lower performance on walk, transposing obstacles and sit to stand tasks. Only patients with aura present impairment of motor control reactions following external perturbations. Balance alterations are associated with falls and are influenced by aura, migraine frequency and psychosocial aspects, but not by vestibular symptoms or vestibular migraine diagnosis. There is a high demand for high quality of evidence regarding the assessment and care of motion sensitivity symptoms in migraineurs, considering approaches to manage not just the pain, but its associated symptoms.

Machine Learning Based Diagnosis of Vertigo using Video Head Impulse Test

This work utilises the strength of state space based dynamic modelling and the ability of machine learning based segmentation of SRM standard descriptors to reach superior diagnostic capabilities. Dynamic modelling ensured vHIT input-output characteristics generated SRM standard descriptors, which were consequently used in formation of ML classification models.The best ML model was Linear SVM when built on left and right sided data with the SRM standard descriptors: rise time, settling time, settling minimum, settling maximum, overshoot and undershoot. The model was able to classify individuals to patient or control groups with an accuracy of 100% and a sensitivity and specificity of 1.Clinical Relevance- Dizziness is one of the most common presentations to family physicians and emergency departments. It is associated with significant medical complications such as falls as well as economic costs to both the individual and the community. Vestibular diseases comprise the bulk of dizzy disorders and are often associated with dysfunction of the vestibular or inner ear balance apparatus. This is most commonly the result of hypo-function of the semi-circular canals. Clinically, the most commonly employed objective test of semicircular function is the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT). Here we provide a machine learning approach to a more comprehensible and accurate interpretation of the results obtained by the vHIT to more robustly establish the presence and severity of VOR dysfunction, and ultimately aid in the diagnosis of vestibular disorders.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and vestibular function test results in patients with vestibular migraine and Menière's disease

OBJECTIVES

The differentiation between Vestibular Migraine (VM) and Meniere's Disease (MD) is difficult because of overlapping symptoms. The study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and vestibular function test results between VM and MD patients.

METHODS

Seventy-one patients with definite VM and 31 patients with definite unilateral MD were included. All patients received Caloric Test (CT), Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) test within 7 days after visiting the hospital. Results of these tests were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Most VM patients (64.0%) experienced spontaneous internal vertigo, while most MD patients (66.7%) experienced spontaneous external vertigo. MD patients had more severe vestibular symptoms and autonomic responses compared to VM patients during attacks (p =  0.03, p = 0.00, respectively). The nystagmus intensity of CT-induced was greater in VM patients than in MD patients (p = 0.003). More VM patients had CT intolerance and Central Positional Nystagmus (CPN) compared to MD patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.006, respectively). More MD patients had CT(+) and vHIT saccades wave compared to VM patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). The non-elicitation rate of cervical VEMP was higher, and the ocular VEMP amplitudes were lower in MD patients than in VM patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Vestibular symptoms during attacks combined with the results of vestibular function tests may be used to differentiate between VM and MD. The diverse nature of vestibular symptoms (especially internal vertigo), history of motion sickness and CT intolerance may provide clues to the diagnosis of VM, whereas spontaneous external vertigo, CT(+) with vHIT(-), and the presence of saccades may provide clues to the diagnosis of MD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

CLINICAL AND OBJECTIVE TEST CHARACTERISTICS OF VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE: IMPLICATIONS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

The research we provided look at a number of factors, such as age, unilateral testing, and squinting both during the ictal and interictal periods to define vestibular migraine. One hundred and ten adults with recurrent spontaneous and positional vertigo participated in the study, which the investigators did. Vestibular migraines (VM) or probable vestibular migraine constituted the two diagnoses given to the patients (n = 29 and n = 76, respectively). The findings revealed those surveyed frequently complained of headache (85.3%), spinning vertigo (76.2%), and Mal de Débarquement (60.2%), with movement hypersensitivity (32.6%). After an episode, 75.2% of individuals having vestibular migraine showed spontaneous squinting, whereas 16.5% did so among assaults, although fixing was forbidden. 27.3% of people had clear spatial squinting after an assault, while 57.3% did so after assaults. In 51.2% of instances, the direction of ictal spontaneous Nystagmus was straight, while in 19.5% of cases, it was vertical. Positional and spontaneously ictal squinting was evaluated at speeds between 0.0 and 59.3 degrees per second and 0.0 and 99.9 levels per minute, respectively. In 92.6% and 25.1% of instances, respectively, the interact spontaneous and positional nystagmus velocities were typically less than 3 degrees/second. When contrasted with the time within assaults, squinting speeds were substantially greater after an assault. According to additional tests, 98.6% of those tested exhibited normal lateral video head impulse test gains, indicating that their vestibule-ocular responses were in place. The calorie test findings were symmetrical in 86.4% of the instances, showing normal vestibular function. In 90.4% and 95.2% of cases misogynic potentials displayed symmetrical magnitudes. In 69.8% and 98.1% of instances, misogynic possibilities were identical. In 89.3% of cases, the audiometer data is generally uniform and age-consistent. In outcome, low-velocity squinting that can be horizontal, vertical, or torsional motions occur throughout a sensory migraines event. The investigation also discovered that patients with vestibular migraine often had acceptable audio vestibular test findings.

Interventional Study of Flunarizine Therapy on Symptom Relief and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Changes in Individuals with Vestibular Migraine

INTRODUCTION

Migraine is the third most common disease in the world with an estimated prevalence of 14.7%. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristic changes in cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and analyse changes in symptoms and VEMP after flunarizine therapy in patients diagnosed with vestibular migraine (VM).

METHODS

Prospective interventional study was conducted on 31 VM patients. Cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) were recorded. Flunarizine (10 mg) was given once daily for two consecutive months. Prophylactic therapy was monitored with a monthly follow-up assessment of their symptoms and VEMP was repeated after 2 months.

RESULTS

Headache was the chief complaint (67.7%). Vertigo was spontaneous and mostly moderate in intensity (93%). cVEMP was absent in 1 patient and oVEMP was absent in 3 patients. Post prophylactic treatment with flunarizine, there was significant reduction in the frequency (p = 0.001) and duration (p = 0.001) of headache and frequency (p = 0.001), duration (p = 0.001), and intensity (p = 0.009) of vertigo. cVEMP and oVEMP showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between pre- and post-treatment recordings.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with flunarizine helps in considerably reducing the episodes and duration of headache, as well as episodes, duration, and intensity of vertigo.

[Further exploration of the classification and clinical value of head-shaking nystagmus]

Objective:To investigate the classification of head shaking nystagmus（HSN） and its clinical value in vestibular peripheral diseases. Methods:Clinical data of 198 patients with peripheral vestibular disorders presenting with HSN were retrospectively analyzed. Video Nystagmograph（VNG） was applied to detect spontaneous nystagmus（SN）, HSN, and Caloric Test（CT）. The intensity and direction of SN and HSN as well as the unilateral weakness（UW） and direction preponderance（DP） values in caloric test was analyzed in patients. Results:Among the 198 patients with vestibular peripheral disease, there were 105 males and 93 females, with an average age of（49.1±14.4） years （range: 14-87 years）. One hundred and thirty seven patients were diagnosed as Vestibular Neuritis（VN）, 12 as Meniere's Disease（MD）, 41 as sudden deafness（SD） and 8 as Hunt's syndrome accompanied by vertigo. Among them, there were 116 patients in the acute phase, including 68 cases（58.6%） with decreased HSN, 4 cases（3.4%） with increased HSN, 5 cases（4.3%） with biphasic HSN, 38 cases（32.8%） with unchanged HSN, and 1 case（0.9%） with perverted HSN. There were 82 cases in the non-acute phase, 51 cases（62.2%） with decreased HSN, 3 cases（3.6%） with increased HSN, 9 cases（11.0%） with biphasic HSN, and 19 cases（23.2%） with unchanged HSN. In biphasic HSN, the intensity of phase I nystagmus was usually greater than that of phase II, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.01）. There was no correlation between HSN type and course of disease or DP value. The intensity of HSN was negatively correlated with the course of disease（r=-0.320, P<0.001） and positively correlated with DP value（r=0.364, P<0.001）, respectively. The intensity of unchanged nystagmus and spontaneous nystagmus were（8.0±5.7） °/s and（8.5±6.4）°/s, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the intensity of nystagmus before and after shaking the head. Conclusion:HSN can be classified into five types and could be regarded as a potential SN within a specific frequency range （mid-frequency）. Similarly, SN could also be considered as a common sign of unilateral vestibular impairment at different frequencies. HSN intensity can reflect the dynamic process of vestibular compensation, and is valuable for assessing the frequency of damage in peripheral vestibular diseases and monitoring the progress of vestibular rehabilitation.

[Expert consensus on the diagnosis of isolated otolith dysfunction]

Isolated otolith dysfunction(iOD) involves a group of unexplained vestibular syndromes that manifest clinically as a sense of translation, tilting or floating, and blurred vision with head movement, with normal semicircular canal function but abnormal otolith function on laboratory vestibular testing. As vestibular medicine has gained widespread popularity in recent years, increasing attention has also been paid to iOD and case reports, clinical studies and diagnostic criteria have been published. However, there is no consensus document to guide the diagnosis of this disease in China. In this context, the Special Committee on Vertigo of China Medical Education Association organized a group of domestic experts in vestibular medicine and formulated this diagnostic consensus after thorough discussion based on the latest evidence in China and abroad, in order to promote the best clinical practice for iOD.

[Research progress on the questionnaire related to persistent postural-perceptual dizziness]

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness（PPPD） is the most common chronic vestibular disease, the clinical manifestation is dizziness, unstable and non-rotational dizziness for three months or more. And the symptom is exacerbated by upright posture, active or passive movement, and complex visual stimuli. In addition, PPPD is a functional disease, so routine vestibular function tests and imaging tests are often negative. According to the diagnostic criteria established by the Barany Association, the diagnosis of PPPD often relies on history. This article provides a review of PPPD-related questionnaires.

Modern vestibular tests can accurately separate stroke and vestibular neuritis

OBJECTIVES

To separate posterior-circulation stroke (PCS) and vestibular-neuritis (VN) using quantitative vestibular tests.

METHODS

Patients were prospectively recruited from the emergency room within 72 h of presentation. Video-nystagmography (VNG), three-dimensional video head-impulse testing (vHIT), vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), and subjective visual-horizontal (SVH) were performed.

RESULTS

There were 128 PCS and 134 VN patients. Common stroke-territories were: posterior-inferior cerebellar artery, basilar-perforators, multi-territory and anterior-inferior cerebellar artery (41.4%, 21.1%, 14.1%, 7.8%). VN included superior, inferior and pan-neuritis (53.3%, 4.2%, and 41.5%). Most VN and stroke patients presented with acute vestibular syndrome (96.6%, 61.7%). In VN, we recorded horizontal (98.5%) or vertical/torsional spontaneous nystagmus (1.5%) and in PCS, absent-nystagmus (53.9%), horizontal (32%) or vertical/torsional (14.1%) nystagmus. The mean slow-phase velocity of horizontal nystagmus was faster in VN than PCS (11.8 ± 7.2 and 5.2 ± 3.0°/s, p < 0.01). Ipsilesional horizontal-canal (HC) vHIT-gain was lower in VN than in stroke (0.47 ± 0.24, 0.92 ± 0.20, p < 0.001). Ipsilesional catch-up saccades occurred earlier, and their amplitude, prevalence, and velocity were greater in VN than PCS (p < 0.01). Ipsilesional SVH deviation > 2.5° occurred more often in VN than in stroke (97.6% and 24.3%, p < 0.01). Abnormal bone-conducted ocular-VEMP asymmetry ratio was more common in VN than PCS (50% and 14.4%, p < 0.01). Using the ten best discriminators (VNG, vHIT, SVH, and oVEMP metrics), VN was separated from PCS with a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 89.8%. Adding VNG and vHIT to the bedside head-impulse-nystagmus-and-test-of-skew (HINTS) test enhanced sensitivity and specificity from 95.3% and 63.4% to 96.5% and 80.6%.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative vestibular testing helps separate stroke from vestibular neuritis and, when used, could improve diagnostic accuracy in the emergency room.

[Analysis of continuous polysomnography in children with recurrent vertigo]

Objective:To explore the relationship between sleep status and the disease in children with recurrent vertigo（RVC） by analyzing the objective sleep condition of children with recurrent vertigo. Methods:According to the diagnostic criteria of RVC, 50 children with RVC and 20 normal controls without RVC were selected. According to the vertigo questionnaire score, the RVC group was divided into mild, moderate and severe groups according to severity. Continuous polysomnography（PSG） was performed for all participants, and SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used to analyze the monitoring results. Results:①There were significant differences in sleep time of each period, total sleep time and sleep efficiency between RVC group and control group（P<0.05）, but there was no significant difference in sleep latency（P>0.05）. The specific manifestations were that the proportion of sleep time in N1 and N2 phases increased, the proportion of sleep time in N3 and REM phases decreased, the total sleep time and sleep efficiency decreased in RVC group. ②The abnormal rate of sleep apnea hypopnea index, that is, the proportion of AHI≥5 times/h and the abnormal rate of lowest blood oxygen saturation in RVC group were higher than those in normal control group. There was significant difference between the two groups（P<0.05）. ③There were significant differences in the proportion of AHI≥5 times/h and lowest SpO2 among mild group, moderate group and severe group（P<0.05）. ④There was no significant correlation between the degree of vertigo and the abnormal rate of AHI in children with RVC, but there was a negative correlation between the degree of vertigo and the abnormal rate of lowest SpO2 in children with RVC. Conclusion:Children with RVC are often accompanied by sleep disorders, clinicians should pay attention to both the symptoms of vertigo and sleep condition in children. Polysomnography is non-invasive and operable, providing a new idea to the auxiliary examination of RVC in children. It is of certain clinical significance for the comprehensive treatment of children with RVC to actively improve vertigo symptoms and pay attention to improving sleep quality.

Vestibular migraine or Meniere's disease: a diagnostic dilemma

Meniere's disease (MD) represents one of the vertigo disorders characterized by triad symptoms (recurrent vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus or ear fullness). The diagnosis of MD relies on the accurate and detailed taking of medical history, and the differentiation between MD and vestibular migraine (VM) is of critical importance from the perspective of the treatment efficacy. VM is a highly prevalent vertigo condition and its typical symptoms (headache, vestibular symptoms, cochlear symptoms) mimic those of MD. Furthermore, the misdiagnosis in MD and VM could lead to VM patients mistakenly receiving the traumatic treatment protocol designed for MD, and sustaining unnecessary damage to the inner ear. Fortunately, thanks to the advances in examination technologies, the barriers to their differentiation are being gradually removed. These advances enhance the diagnostic accuracy of vertigo diseases, especially VM and MD. This review focused on the differentiation of VM and MD, with an attempt to synthesize existing data on the relevant battery of differentiation diagnosis (covering core symptoms, auxiliary tests [audiometry, vestibular tests, endolymphatic hydrops tests]) and longitudinal follow-up. Since the two illnesses are overlapped in all aspects, no single test is sufficiently specific on its own, however, patterns containing all or at least some features boost specificity.

Incidence, characteristics, and neuroanatomical substrates of vestibular symptoms in supratentorial stroke

The incidence and characteristics of acute vestibular symptoms, responsible structures, and lateralization of the causative lesions in supratentorial stroke remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the incidence, clinical features, and anatomical correlation of acute vestibular symptoms in supratentorial stroke. We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study that had recruited patients with supratentorial stroke from the neurology clinics of referral-based four university hospitals in Korea. All patients received a constructed neuro-otological evaluations, and neuroimaging. We analyzed the incidence of acute vestibular symptoms, abnormal ocular motor and vestibular function tests, and stroke lesions. Of 1301 patients with supratentorial stroke, 48 (3.7%) presented with acute vestibular symptoms, and 13 of them (1%) had the vestibular symptoms in isolation. In patients with acute vestibular symptoms, abnormal findings included spontaneous nystagmus (5%), impaired horizontal smooth pursuit (41%), and abnormal tilt of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) (20%). Video head impulse and caloric tests were normal in all the patients. There was no clear correlation between acute vestibular symptoms and involvement of specific vestibular cortex. In patients with unilateral stroke, there was also no lateralization of the causative lesions of acute vestibular symptoms (left vs. right; 52 vs. 48%), even in patients with vertigo (left vs. right; 58 vs. 42%). This study demonstrates that the incidence of acute vestibular symptoms in supratentorial stroke is 3.7%, with being isolated in 1%. The widespread lesions responsible for acute vestibular symptoms implicate diffuse multisensory cortical-subcortical networks in the cerebral hemispheres without a lateralization.

[Discussion on diagnosis and treatment of dizziness from cases]

Dizziness or vertigo is a common clinical symptom, and its underlying etiology is complex. Many clinicians are confused about its diagnosis and treatment. This article presents a case about chronic vestibular syndrome. And case appreciation and academic discussion are conducted by well-known domestic neurologists and otologists, so as to provide a good thinking model and basic ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness or vertigo, hoping to further improve the diagnosis and treatment level among clinicians.

Central Vertigo Disorder as Evidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: A Case Report

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) that presented atypical initial manifestations and highlight the importance of complementary investigation to avoid diagnosis delay.

PATIENTS

A 54-year-old female patient who presented with vertigo with positional nystagmus, nausea, and vomiting as initial CJD manifestations.

INTERVENTION

Neuro-otological and brain magnetic resonance images, which showed abnormal hyperintense cortical signal in both hemispheres.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

We reached a presumptive diagnosis of the prion disease after the first magnetic resonance imaging. Eventually, the patient presented with typical neurological findings and met the criteria for probable CJD.

RESULTS

Our case report presents a patient with sporadic CJD who experienced dizziness as an initial manifestation and met the diagnostic criteria for probable CJD a few weeks after symptoms onset.

CONCLUSION

We believe that this case may serve to help otolaryngologists pay better attention to cases of dizziness associated with neurological signs and highlight the importance of complementary investigation using magnetic resonance imaging and neuro-otological tests to prevent delayed or incorrect diagnosis.

Impact of episodic and chronic vestibular disorders on health-related quality of life and functioning-results from the DizzyReg patient registry

PURPOSE

Vertigo and dizziness belong to the most frequent syndromes in the primary, secondary and tertiary setting and can be divided into vertigo with episodic or chronic persistent complaints. Episodic vertigo (EVS) is characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo or dizziness with intermittent symptom-free periods, while chronic vertigo (CVS) presents with persistent vertigo. It is still not completely understood how EVS or CVS affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functioning.

METHODS

Data originates from the DizzyReg patient registry, an ongoing prospective clinical patient registry situated at tertiary clinic at the university hospital, Munich. HRQoL and functioning was measured by self-report. CVS and EVS was categorized after comprehensive neuro-otological work-up in line with the diagnostic guidelines. Association of CVS and EVS was assessed with multivariable linear regression models adjusting for potential risk factors and confounders.

RESULTS

The study included 548 patients (57% female, mean age 51.35). Patients with EVS were significantly younger (48.5 vs. 59.6 years) and were more often female (60 vs. 49%). EVS patients reported significantly better functioning (42.1 vs. 47.8) and HRQoL (63.87 vs. 58.08) than CVS patients. The effect was stable after adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to show worse HRQoL in patients with CVS compared to EVS. The results of the study underpin the experience from clinical practice that mobility and balance control are especially important for patients with CVS.

Influence of visual symptoms on posturographic performance after stroke

PURPOSE

to verify the occurrence of visual symptoms in subjects with dizziness after stroke, to compare the posturographic results and to correlate their clinical aspects with the characteristics of the stroke.

METHODS

This is an observational, cross-sectional study with quantitative analysis. The inclusion criteria for the sample composition were to report dizziness after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and at least 18 years old. We evaluated 50 patients through clinical anamnesis and Dynamic Foam-Laser Posturography. Anteroposterior deviations were calculated with the measures of each SOT. The preferences of the functions were analyzed according to the means of the Sensory Organization Test.

RESULTS

twenty-eight subjects had stroke-related visual symptoms. The prevalent kind of dizziness was imbalance and the most frequent stroke was ischemic, mainly in the carotid territory. The values of tests were below the standard; there was a relationship between older subjects and proprioceptive system, and between visual preference and presence of visual symptoms, as well as the location of the posterior stroke.

CONCLUSION

there was a high frequency of visual symptoms among subjects with stroke sequelae and these have significant relationship with the worst values in visual preference system.

The Dizziness Handicap Inventory and sickness absence: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the association between the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and sickness absence from work in patients with dizziness.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at an otolaryngology clinic with 238 patients referred for a suspected vestibular disorder during a 1-year period. The association between sickness absence over the last 30 days and DHI was examined with binary and ordinal logistic regression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), health-related quality of life (RAND-12), duration of dizziness, diagnosis, age and gender were used as adjustments variables.

RESULTS

The adjusted analysis showed that a 10-point increase on DHI was associated with an increased risk of sickness absence (yes/no) (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25-1.90, p < 0.001). In addition, a 10-point increase in DHI-score was associated with a higher degree of sickness absence (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25-1.80, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A higher DHI-score was associated with sickness absence in addition to the duration of absence the previous month. These results indicate the relevance and clinical usefulness of the DHI as a possible indicator of sickness absence from work in patients with dizziness regardless of diagnosis.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONApproximately half of patients referred to a dizziness clinic have sickness absence.A higher score on The Dizziness Handicap Inventory is associated with longer duration of sickness absence.A vestibular diagnosis was not associated with sickness absence.The results indicate that the Dizziness Handicap Inventory may be a clinically useful tool for identifying patients with a high risk of sickness absence.

Diagnosis of dizziness in the emergency department: A 1-year prospective single-center study

BACKGROUND

The management of dizziness and vertigo can be challenging in the emergency department (ED). It is important to rapidly diagnose vertebrobasilar stroke (VBS), as therapeutic options such as thrombolysis and anticoagulation require prompt decisions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the rate of misdiagnosis in patients with dizziness caused by VBS in the ED.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The cohort was comprised of 66 patients with a mean age 56 years; 48% were women and 52% men. Among dizzy patients, 14% had VBS. We used Cohen's kappa test to quantify the agreement between two raters -namely, emergency physicians and neurologists -regarding the causes of dizziness in the ED. The Kappa value was 0.27 regarding the final diagnosis of central vertigo disorders and VBS, thus showing the low agreement. We used the χi2 test to show the association between the presence of two or more cardiovascular risk factors and admission to the stroke unit (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

There is a substantial rate of misdiagnosis in patients with dizziness caused by VBS in the ED. To reduce the number of missing diagnoses of VBS in the future, there is a need to train emergency physicians in neurovestibular examinations, including the HINTS examination for acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) and the Dix-Hallpike (DH) maneuver for episodic vestibular syndrome. Using video head impulse test could help reduce the rate of misdiagnosis of VBS in the ED.