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Vertigo following head injury
Journal
Journal of Taiwan Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
5
End Page
388
Date Issued
1999-01-01
Author(s)
Chao, T. K.
Abstract
Background: Differentiating intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) from post- traumatic vertigo is important, since the former can be life-threatening. How to detect ICH becomes a good task, we therefore carried out this study. Methods: From December 1991 through August 1998, 42 consecutive patients with post-traumatic vertigo were enrolled in this study. All patients received a battery of audiovestibular examinations, including audiometry, blood examinations, plain X-films, and electronystagmography. Magnetic resonance imaging is also performed if central lesion is suspected. Results: The diagnoses included: 1) intracranial hemorrhage (ICH): 10 cases (24%), 2) postconcussion syndrome (PCS): 10 cases (24%), 3) temporal bone fracture: 5 cases (12%), and 4) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: 17 cases (40%). The intervals between head injury and vertigo onset averaged within 1 week, within 1 week, 1 month, and 6 years respectively. Loss of visual suppression, hearing impairment, and abnormal eye movement were significantly higher in the ICH group than the PCS group. Conclusions: We suggest that detecting the presence of hearing impairment, loss of visual suppression, and abnormal eye movement may help in the differential diagnosis between ICH and PCS.
Subjects
Head injury | Intracranial hemorrhage | Post-concussion syndrome | Vertigo
Type
journal article