Peripheral vestibular syndrome. Etiologic differential diagnosis algorithm and therapeutic recommendations

Abstract

Peripheral vestibular syndrome is frequently met in daily ENT practice (30% of patients). History and bedside exa­mination are crucial un differentiating peripheral and central vestibular lesions, as in establishing the ae­tio­logy whenever possible. This paper presents a dif­ferential diagnostic algorithm for vertiginous syn­drome, a specific category of the vestibular lesions, in which clinical presentation is dominated by VERTIGO. It also presents appropriate treatment options for each aetiology. Bimodal treatment - medication (betahystine) and customised vestibular rehabilitation programs - aims to facilitate the physiologic vestibular central com­pen­sation process. This will enable more rapid and more complete recovery of the unilateral vestibular lesion.