Pearls: Dizziness

ABSTRACT

Contrary to common belief, making a diagnosis in the patient with dizziness can be relatively straightforward. To do so, the clinician must be aware of the pitfalls in taking a history from the dizzy patient as well as be familiar with specific examination techniques, such as the Hallpike maneuver and the head thrust test. We summarize the important aspects of history taking and examination in the dizzy patient and relate these clinical aspects to the most common diagnoses that cause patients to complain of dizziness.

KEYWORDS

Dizziness - dysequilibrium - BPPV - vestibular neuritis - stroke - migrainous vertigo - ototoxicity

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SUGGESTED READING

• 20 Bronstein A M, Lempert T. Dizziness: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridge University Press 2007