Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2014 Aug;57(8):504-510. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.8.504.

Acute Central Vertigo

• Kim MB
• Ban JH

• KMID: 1716009
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.8.504

Abstract

Acute vertigo is a common symptom at the otolaryngology clinics or the Emergency Department. Also, many otolaryngologists see these patients first or they are referred from the Emergency Department. Although the stroke incidence in all dizzy patients is relatively low, the misdiagnosis of central vertigo may lead to serious morbidity and even mortality. Nevertheless, it is difficult to diagnose in vertigo patients whether the origin is central or not, especially at the initial visit. The purpose of this clinical review was to investigate clinical findings of acute central vertigo and to suggest the recent advance of differential diagnosis in these patients from peripheral vestibulopathy. We also suggest an appropriate practice for the radiologic investigation in these patients.

Keyword

Acute vestibular syndrome; Central positional vertigo; Central vertigo; Stroke

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Diagnostic Errors
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Incidence
Mortality
Otolaryngology
Stroke
Vertigo*