Prevalence of Vertigo in Different Age Groups and Common Butterfly Patterns in Electronystagmography in Central India: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

A significant number of patients of all age groups are seen in Otorhinolaryngology having symptoms of vertigo. Further due to automobile accidents and changing life style pattern there is constant increase in the patients presenting with dizziness and imbalance at early age. This retrospective study was undertaken to study the prevalence of vertigo in different age groups, male and female ratio and the various Electronystagmography (ENG) parameters along with the identification of common butterfly patterns. The study group comprised of 300 patients from the data base presenting with dizziness, imbalance, rotational vertigo, unsteadiness as the chief complaint at ENT centre and vertigo clinic from January 2010 to December 2014. Patients with Otitis externa, acute Otitis media, Suppurative Otitis media and history of ear surgery along with vertigo were excluded. Data obtained from the neuro-otology proforma of these patients and the ENG findings were tabulated in the master chart and the observations and results obtained and transferred to Claussen's butterfly chart. Observations were analyzed and compared with previous studies. The study exhibited the age of patients with vertigo ranged from 7 years to 88 years. Highest incidence was seen in third, fourth, fifth and sixth decade of life, out of 300 cases 57% were male and 43% were female. Normal butterfly pattern was observed in 13.666% and pathological in 86.334%. This study observed 31 butterfly patterns out of 81 possible butterfly patterns. Bilateral peripheral receptor inhibition occurred in 43.331 % with 6 different patterns. Unilateral peripheral receptor inhibition appeared as 4 patterns summing up to18.332%. Inhibition of peripheral cold response exhibiting irritative receptor state observed as in Meniere's disease in 12.665% demonstrating 4 butterfly patterns. The butterfly patterns observed as central nystagmus inhibition were 1.666% with 2 patterns and central nystagmus disinhibition or hyper response were 6.664% with 7 patterns adding on to 8.330%. However 3.664% cases with 7 patterns did not fall into a disease pattern.