J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1998 Sep;9(3):420-429.

Central Origin Dizziness Versus Peripheral Origin Dizziness

• Lee YJ
• Lee JH
• Han ST

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a common complaint in patients presenting to the emergency room and that has various pathologic causes. This study investigate the clinical differences in dizziness between the central origin and the peripheral origin and to provides the clues far diagnosis and proper treatment.
METHODS
We analysed 290 patients with dizziness during 12 months period prospectively, who visited in ED, Inha University Hospital from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 1997. We analysized sex ratio, characteristics of the dizziness, associated past illness, associated symptoms, severity, results of the special radiologic study, nystagmus type, and causes of central origin and peripheral origin dizziness.
RESULTS
Male to female ratio was 1:1.4 in central origin(n=165) and 1:2.0 in peripheral origin(n=125). Most common age group was 11th decade in both groups. According to the characteristics of the dizziness, rotation sense was the main complaint of the peripheral origin dizziness. Most common past illness was hypertension in both groups. MRI has diagnostic priority than CT scan in central origin dizziness. Types of nystagmus has some significant differences between two groups.
CONCLUSION
Dizziness may represented as a sign of significant pathological neurologic status especially in central origin. So we must precisely evaluate the patient history, neurologic examination of the inner ear and CNS, and special radiologic study incliding MRI.

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Dizziness*
Ear, Inner
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Humans
Hypertension
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neurologic Examination
Prospective Studies
Sex Ratio
Tomography, X-Ray Computed