Vertigo overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Vertigo (from the Latin vertigin-, vertigo, "dizziness," originally "a whirling or spinning movement," from vertere "to turn"[1]) is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to the surroundings.The effects of vertigo may be slight. It can cause nausea and vomiting and, in severe cases, it may give rise to difficulties with standing and walking.
Causes
Vertigo caused by problems with the inner ear or vestibular system, which is composed of the semicircular canals, the otolith (utricle andsaccule), and the vestibular nerve is called "peripheral", "otologic" or "vestibular" vertigo. The most common cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which accounts for 32% of all peripheral vertigo. Other causes include Ménière's disease (12%),superior canal dehiscence syndrome, labyrinthitis and visual vertigo. Any cause of inflammation such as common cold, influenza, and bacterial infections may cause transient vertigo if it involves the inner ear, as may chemical insults (e.g., aminoglycosides) or physical trauma (e.g., skull fractures). Motion sickness is sometimes classified as a cause of peripheral vertigo.
Diagnosis
CT
CT less optimal for imaging cerebellum
References
- ↑ "Definition of vertigo - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Retrieved 2007-09-19.