Mild blast injury: vertigo complaints analysis
Authors: Trinus K. 
Published: September 2023

The data about vestibular disorders resulting from blast injury are contradictory. To disclose the problem of vestibular disorder as the consequence of blast injury, we have done present investigation. One hundred and nine patients were examined: 65 Anti-Terroristic Operation (ATO) participants, who survived mild and moderate blast injury without cranial trauma, and 44 non-ATO patients (rhinitis, pharyngitis, otitis). Questionnaire “Types of dizziness” has been used according to the International Clinical Protocol on Vestibular Disorders (Dizziness). Complaints of dizziness (distortion of perception of space, movement and time) have been revealed in 70.77 % (46) ATO and 43.18 % (19) non-ATO patients: F-test = 0.51, T-test = 0.004, thus, showing that this complaint is not specific for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Objective vertigo (sensation of subjects moving around the patient) met in 26.15 % (17) ATO and 11.56 % (5) non-ATO patients: F-test = 0.027, T-test = 0.046. So, we have two different qualitative groups. Тhese complaints are specific for the patients, who survived blast injury. Complaints of vertigo are also typical for the patients, who survived blast injury. Complaints of giddiness are specific for the patients, who survived blast injury. Imbalance and drop attacks are not typical for ATO patients. Complaints of kinetosis are specific for the patients, who survived blast injury. Orthostatics (discomfort sensations that appear after sudden standing up) has been revealed in 76.92 % (50) ATO and 47.73 % (21) non-ATO patients, this complaint is not specific for mTBI. Vestibular system organizes space orientation tetrad: vestibular, somatosensory, visual and hearing information to percept, orient and interact with environment. Acro-, nycto- and ascendophobia have appeared to be of no importance. Agoraphobia (Greek αγωρα — market, supermarket syndrome, discomfort in open, public places or crowds) has been detected in 33.85 % (22) ATO and 15.91 % (7) non-ATO patients. This complaint is not specific for mTBI. Claustrophobia (discomfort appearing in small, closed spaces) is met in 20.00 % (13) ATO and 9.09 % (4) non-ATO patients: F-test = 0.024, T-test = 0.10. Thus, we have two different qualitative groups. This is also interesting case, when we reveal qualitative difference without quantitative one. This is the argument to use F-test in our study. So, complaints of claustrophobia are specific for the patients, who survived blast injury. The same situation is with descendophobia (discomfort during walking down the hill or descending the staircase, patients note the necessity of visual control. It has been shown that among other signs, there is a positive correlation with age, imbalance, ascendophobia and dyspnea). The results are discussed from the point of view of the severe vestibular impairment due to the blast injury. Conclusions. 1. MBTI from blast injury is accompanied by severe stress, objective and subjective vertigo, giddiness and kinetosis, which are considered to be the symptoms of vestibular damage. 2. Dizziness, orthostatics and agoraphobia are quantitatively significantly increased in mBTI, but it might not be considered specific for blast injury consequences. 3. Giddiness, claustrophobia and descendophobia in ATO patients have no quantitative changes compared to the ENT patients, but are specific for mBTI after blast injury. 4. It is important to use matrix Fisher test in statistical examinations.