Vertigo by Dr Gamini Pathirana
Channel: ASN Neurology
Date: 2021-07-02

Webinar 18 - 10 Pearls Series

Webinar series conducted by the Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists targeted at the Medical Officers, Medical Registrars, General Physicians, Family Physicians and Medical Students. A journey of 32 neurology topics, each with 10 pearls.

The eighteenth lecture in the series, Vertigo is delivered by Dr Gamini Pathirana. He is the current president of the Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists. He is a Consultant Neurologist currently attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

9 Pearls of this lecture
1. Vertigo is an illusion of movement of self or environment
2. Positional vertigo well described with BPPV and central positioning nystagmus. But positional vertigo can occur with mostly peripheral aetiologies.
3. Fixation of vision may attenuate nystagmus associated with peripheral vertigo. Fixation dose not suppress nystagmus associated with central vertigo.
4. Nystagmus helps differentiate peripheral from central causes of vertigo.
5. With BPPV identifying the canal ad the side followed by correct particle repositioning maneuver will cure BPPV.
6. Head shake test is a very useful bedside test to differentiate peripheral from central causes
7. With alternative cover test you cover one eye at a time looking for a vertical saccade in open eye.
8. HINTS test done in all patients presenting with persistent vertigo and nystagmus help differentiate peripheral from central aetiologies.
9. Complete eye examination will help diagnostic work up.

Thumbnail artwork - Photo by Aaron Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

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