Cost of Neuroimaging of Patients with Vertigo in Emergency Department

Abstract

Background and Aim: The fact that many diseases cause symptoms of vertigo and that some of them are life-threatening make it difficult to manage vertigo in emergency departments (ED). Parallel to these difficulties, the number of neuroimaging use in diagnosis is increasing. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the neuroimaging costs of patients with vertigo in ED. Methods: The study was carried out with a retrospective review of the files of the patients with vertigo who were admitted to ED between 01.01.2013 and 31.12.2013. Patients were classified into 6 groups; central, peripheral, cardiac and blood pressure-induced, induced by internal causes, psychogenic, and vertigo related to other causes. Costs and the total cost of these groups were determined and the ratios were analyzed statistically. Results: Of the 381 patients; 31 (8.1%) patients were seen to be in the central, 175 (45.9%) in the peripheral vertigo. 72 of patients were seen to have been examined with computerized tomography (CT) and 35 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neuroimaging was observed to have been implemented mostly on the central induced group. The highest neuroimaging cost was in the peripheral vertigo group. However, when the cost per patient was calculated, the group with the lowest cost of each patient was the peripheral vertigo group. Conclusion: This study is the first study in Turkey for the cost analysis patients with a complaint of vertigo in ED. Avoiding unnecessary costs, along with the algorithms to be developed, can be possible with good and accurate patient management in ED.