Vertigo Clinic – Our Departmental Experience

Abstract

Background: Vertigo, dizziness, unsteadiness, and falls are common symptoms encountered in clinical practice. Detailed evaluation is necessary for accurate diagnosis, and vertigo clinics equipped with videonystagmography facilitate appropriate diagnosis and management.

Aims and Objectives: To determine the age and gender distribution of patients attending the vertigo clinic; identify the various causes of vertigo and the most common etiology; classify benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) subtypes; evaluate the corrective maneuvers used and their success rates; and describe non-BPPV causes of vertigo encountered in the clinic.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients attending the Rajagiri Vertigo Clinic between 3 May 2021 and 3 May 2022. Patients were evaluated according to the departmental protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test.

Results: Females constituted the majority of patients. BPPV was the commonest cause of vertigo, accounting for 85.425% of cases. Posterior canal BPPV was the most frequent subtype, followed by lateral and anterior canal BPPV. The success rates of corrective maneuvers were 98% for Epley's maneuver, 99% for the Barbeque roll maneuver, and 100% for the Yacovino/Bangalore maneuver. Non-BPPV cases included both peripheral and central causes.

Conclusion: Vertigo clinics equipped with videonystagmography significantly improve the diagnosis and management of vertigo and facilitate comprehensive evaluation of patients.