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Mantokoudis G, Zwergal A, Heg D, Kerkeni H, Diener S, Kalla R, Korda A, Candreia C, Welge-Lüssen A, Tarnutzer AA. What neuro-otology specialists need for better care of dizzy patients: a national survey. Front Neurol 2024; 14:1322471. [PMID: 38259654 PMCID: PMC10800397 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1322471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A substantial fraction of dizzy patients are assessed by neurologists and ear-nose-throat (ENT) physicians. With the differential diagnosis being broad and often different specialties involved, we aimed to assess the interaction with generalists from the specialists' perspective to identify limitations and needs and to define strategies for improvement in patient care and education by the specialist. Methods One hundred eleven board-certified neurologists (n = 62) and ENT physicians (n = 49) working in Switzerland participated in an online survey. Here, we focused on limitations faced in the diagnostic workup and treatment of the dizzy patient and potential strategies to improve the standard of care and the interaction between generalists and specialists. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. We hypothesized that those specialists applying modern concepts in history-taking and bedside examination techniques reach a specific diagnosis more often and request fewer referrals. Results Specialists indicated higher confidence in reaching a specific diagnosis for patients presenting with acute dizziness than episodic/chronic dizziness (80% vs. 60%) at the first consultation. Knowledge of the timing-and-trigger concept [odds ratio (OR) = 0.81 (0.67-0.98), p = 0.034], as well as of subtle oculomotor/vestibular signs [OR = 0.80 (0.68-0.94), p = 0.007] was predictive of the self-reported probability of reaching a specific diagnosis in patients with episodic/chronic dizziness, while no such differences were observed in the care of acutely dizzy patients. Further referrals of acutely dizzy patients were significantly higher in neurologists than in ENT physicians (17% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) and in specialists located in the Latin part of Switzerland [OR = 2.84 (1.63-4.93), p < 0.001], while this was not the case for patients with episodic/chronic dizziness. Identified unmet needs included regular communication between physicians (27%/53%; always/often true) and sufficiently detailed information on the previous workup from the referrals (27%/53%). Specialists expressed most interest in hands-on courses/workshops, webinars, and practical guidelines for education. Conclusion In our survey, bedside state-of-the-art assessments were key in reducing the fraction of unclear dizzy cases. Several gaps were identified that should be addressed. Specifically, referring physicians should provide more comprehensive details regarding urgency, prior diagnostics, and treatment. Specifically, when promoting the knowledge of neurologists and ENT physicians, this should be preferentially done by offering a combination of hands-on courses and webinars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Mantokoudis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Zwergal
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Dik Heg
- CTU Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hassen Kerkeni
- Department of Neurology, Lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Suzie Diener
- Practice Neurology St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Roger Kalla
- Department of Neurology, Lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Athanasia Korda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Candreia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Antje Welge-Lüssen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Andrea Tarnutzer
- Neurology, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Zwergal A, Mantokoudis G, Heg D, Kerkeni H, Diener S, Kalla R, Korda A, Candreia C, Welge-Lüssen A, Tarnutzer AA. What is the current status of care by neuro-otology specialists in Switzerland-A national survey. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1322330. [PMID: 38130837 PMCID: PMC10733682 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1322330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vertigo and dizziness are frequent presenting symptoms in the emergency department and in outpatient centers. While the majority of dizzy patients are evaluated by primary care physicians, specialists are often involved in the diagnostic workup. We aimed to gain more insights into the role of specialists in the care of dizzy patients. Materials and methods Board-certified neurologists and ear-nose-throat (ENT) physicians working in Switzerland were invited to participate in an online survey. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, and prospectively defined hypotheses were assessed using correlation analyses. Results All 111 participating specialists (neurologists = 62; ENT specialists = 49) were familiar with testing for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and 66% regularly applied provocation maneuvers for suspected lateral canal BPPV. Reposition maneuvers for posterior (99%) and lateral (68%) canals were frequently performed. ENT physicians were familiar with lateral canal BPPV repositioning maneuvers significantly more often than neurologists (84 vs. 56%, p ≤ 0.012). Specialists strongly agreed that performing the head impulse test (86%) and looking for deficient eccentric gaze holding (82%) are important. Compared to neurologists, significantly fewer ENT physicians indicated ordering brain MRI in acutely dizzy patients (OR = 0.33 [0.16-0.067], p = 0.002) and physical therapy in patients with acute (50 vs. 20%, p = 0.005) or episodic/chronic dizziness (78 vs. 50%, p = 0.003). Conclusion We found substantial differences in the care of dizzy patients by neurologists and ENT physicians. This underlines the need for a standardized, guideline-oriented diagnostic workup and treatment across specialties. Dedicated training for performing lateral canal BPPV repositioning maneuvers should be prioritized for neurologists. Similarly, physical therapy should be considered more often by ENT physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Zwergal
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georgios Mantokoudis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dik Heg
- Clinical Trials Unit Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hassen Kerkeni
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Suzie Diener
- Practice Neurology St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Roger Kalla
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Athanasia Korda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Candreia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Antje Welge-Lüssen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander A. Tarnutzer
- Neurology, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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