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Aetiology of vertigo in a Nigerian tertiary health facility, a multidisciplinary approach
Abstract
Background: Vertigo is one of the most challenging problems faced by the otolaryngologist in every day practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the aetiology, and the clinical course of vertigo in our setting.
Materials and methods: Forty-six consecutive patients attending the ENT Clinic of a Nigerian tertiary health institution with the chief complaints of vertigo were prospectively studied. The patients' history, clinical examination, the results of the laboratory investigations as well as the diagnostic imaging findings and the treatment modalities were reviewed. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 24 months.
Results: There were 27(58.7%) males and 19(41.3%) females. The incidence of Vertigo was found to increase with age with a peak incidence in the 6th decade of life. The aetiologies of vertigo were found to be: Infectious diseases of the ear in 9(19.6%), Neoplasm 8(17.4%), Menieres 8(17.4.3%), Metabolic diseases 5(10.9%), while vascular disorders were found in 4(8.7%). Trauma occurred in 4(8.7%), Ocular pathology in 3(6.5%), while Vestibulotoxicity was found in 2(4.3%). Others include, Psychogenic causes in 2(4.3%) and vestibular neuronitis was the least found in 1(2.2%) of the patients. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable in all of the cases. Fasting blood sugar was found to be elevated in one of the patients with Diabetes and VDRL tests was found to be positive in the only patients with Otosyphilis. Electrocardiography (ECG), Vanyl Mandelic Acid (VMA), and thyroid function tests were normal in those patients where these investigations were indicated. Radiological investigations were helpful in detecting Temporal bone and cerebello-pontine angle tumours. Treatment consisted of labyrinthine sedative, the treatments of the primary cause and physiotherapy. Mortality was found in 2.2% of the patients.
Conclusion: Infective ear diseases, Menieres' and neoplasms were found to be common. Vertigo in our centre represents an extremely broad spectrum of diagnosis. A thorough and a multidisciplinary evaluation of a vertiginous patient in a tertiary centre is hereby advocated.
Keywords: vertigo, tertiary health institution, Nigeria
Nigerian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 2(2) 2005: 54-59
Materials and methods: Forty-six consecutive patients attending the ENT Clinic of a Nigerian tertiary health institution with the chief complaints of vertigo were prospectively studied. The patients' history, clinical examination, the results of the laboratory investigations as well as the diagnostic imaging findings and the treatment modalities were reviewed. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 24 months.
Results: There were 27(58.7%) males and 19(41.3%) females. The incidence of Vertigo was found to increase with age with a peak incidence in the 6th decade of life. The aetiologies of vertigo were found to be: Infectious diseases of the ear in 9(19.6%), Neoplasm 8(17.4%), Menieres 8(17.4.3%), Metabolic diseases 5(10.9%), while vascular disorders were found in 4(8.7%). Trauma occurred in 4(8.7%), Ocular pathology in 3(6.5%), while Vestibulotoxicity was found in 2(4.3%). Others include, Psychogenic causes in 2(4.3%) and vestibular neuronitis was the least found in 1(2.2%) of the patients. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable in all of the cases. Fasting blood sugar was found to be elevated in one of the patients with Diabetes and VDRL tests was found to be positive in the only patients with Otosyphilis. Electrocardiography (ECG), Vanyl Mandelic Acid (VMA), and thyroid function tests were normal in those patients where these investigations were indicated. Radiological investigations were helpful in detecting Temporal bone and cerebello-pontine angle tumours. Treatment consisted of labyrinthine sedative, the treatments of the primary cause and physiotherapy. Mortality was found in 2.2% of the patients.
Conclusion: Infective ear diseases, Menieres' and neoplasms were found to be common. Vertigo in our centre represents an extremely broad spectrum of diagnosis. A thorough and a multidisciplinary evaluation of a vertiginous patient in a tertiary centre is hereby advocated.
Keywords: vertigo, tertiary health institution, Nigeria
Nigerian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 2(2) 2005: 54-59
