Res Vestib Sci.  2021 Mar;20(1):7-16. 10.21790/rvs.2021.20.1.7.

Differential Diagnosis of the Acute Vestibular Syndrome

• Kim SH

• KMID: 2513997
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2021.20.1.7

Abstract

Acute vestibular syndrome refers to the rapid onset of vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and unsteady gait. Acute unilateral vestibular neuritis is the most common cause of acute vestibular syndrome. However, vascular lesions involving the brainstem and cerebellum also produce acute vestibular syndrome even without other neurologic deficits. The vestibular nucleus or nucleus prepositus hypoglossi in the dorsal portion of the brainstem, cerebellar structures including flocculus, tonsil, and nodulus, and cerebellar peduncle can produce isolated vertigo and imbalance when damaged. Early recognition of the pseudo-vestibular neuritis of the vascular etiology is warranted for clinicians.

Keyword

Vertigo; Vestibular neuritis; Brainstem vertigo