The clinical characteristics of dizzy patients with normal vestibular function tests.
- Author:
Won Ho CHUNG
1
;
Eun Guk BANG
;
Sung Hwa HONG
;
Chi Kyou LEE
;
Hyun Seok LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. whchung@smc.samsung.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
dizziness;
vestibular function tests
- MeSH:
Aged;
Dizziness;
Electronystagmography;
Humans;
Medical Records;
Meniere Disease;
Prevalence;
Psychiatry;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency;
Vertigo;
Vestibular Function Tests*;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of the Korean Balance Society
2002;1(2):259-265
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : Dizziness is a very common complaint in every day practice. The prevalence of dizziness ranges from 1.8 % in young adults to 30% in the elderly. The sensitivity of vestibular function tests is limited. It was reported that the sensitivity of electronystagmography for diagnosing peripheral vestibular disorders was variable, ranging from 46 to 74%. The objective of this study is to analyse the causes and clinical characteristics of dizzy patients who show normal vestibular function tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS : From January 1999 to June 2001, 375 dizzy patients with normal vestibular function tests(mean age, 49.7 years; range, 8 to 79 years) were assessed with the medical records and typed questionnaires about dizziness. RESULTS : Dizzy patients with normal vestibular function tests were attributed to an unknown cause in 20.0% of patients, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in 19.5%, migrainous dizziness in 11.7%, psychogenic dizziness in 10.4%, Meniere's disease in 9.6% and vertebrobasilar insufficiency in 7.2%. CONCLUSION : Dizzy patients with normal vestibular function tests can be evaluated by careful history taking and combined multidisciplinary approach with neurologist, psychiatrist and cardiologist and strict diagnostic criteria are necessary.
