Vertigo resident survival guide (pediatrics)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Usman Ali Akbar, M.B.B.S.[2]

Vertigo resident survival guide (pediatrics) Microchapters
Overview
Causes
FIRE
Diagnosis
Treatment
Do's
Don'ts

Overview

Vertigo can be described as subjection sensation of movement such as spinning, turning, or whirling of patients or respective surroundings. Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It results from dysfunction either in the vestibular or central nervous system; thus can be classified as peripheral or central vertigo respectively. Some conditions can present with a subjective feeling of dizziness without vertigo hence named as pseudo-vertigo. Most children or adolescents have secondary vertigo as a result of various conditions such as otitis media, benign paroxysmal vertigo, head trauma, or any CNS infection. Successful management of vertigo usually consists of identifying the root cause and specifically targeting the underlying condition.

Causes

Life-Threatening Causes	Common	Misc.
Head trauma (labyrinthine concussion, whiplash syndrome, basilar artery migraine) CNS infection Intake of specific Poison Drug Adverse Effect Stroke Brain tumor Congenital ear abnormalities (Mondini's malformation, enlarged vestibular aqueduct)	Binocular vision abnormalities Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood Vestibular neuritis Migraine Somatoform vertigo   Motion sickness Otitis media complicated by labyrinthitis	Mastoiditis Meniere disease Middle ear trauma Multiple sclerosis Perilymph fistula Ramsay Hunt syndrome Seizure

FIRE: Focused Initial Rapid Evaluation

Identify cardinal findings that increase the pretest probability of vertigo (at least 2 of the following) ❑ Physical sensation of spinning or moving ❑ Nystagmus ❑ Nausea with or without vomiting

Yes

No

History of Head Trauma

Pseudovertigo

Findings of Abnormal CT-Scan/MRI

Altered level of Consciousness

YES

NO

YES

NO

Fracture of Temoral Bone,enlarged vestibular aqueduct

Post-concussion syndrome, Post traumatic migraine

If History of fever , Consider CNS infections such as meningitis and encephalitis If abnormal CT-Scan Brain or MRI, consider Migraine, Drug Overdosingm or Post-ictal state

Perform Otoscopy

Positive Otoscopic Findings The differential should Include ❑ Abnormal Canal •Cerumen Impaction • Foreign Body • Ramsy Hunt Syndrome ❑ Middle ear Effusion ❑ Cholesteatoma ❑Perilymphatic fistula

History of travel  ?

If Yes Consider Motion Sickness

Abnormal vestibular testing?

Yes

No

Abnormal CT-Scan/MRI?

Decreased Hearing?

YES

NO

YES

NO

CNS tumor

❑ BPPV ❑Migraine ❑Seizure ❑Perilymphatic fistula

❑BPPV Vestribular ❑Neutritis ❑Stroke

❑Drug Overdose ❑Meniere Disease

Complete Diagnostic Approach

Sings of Vertigo in Children ❑Frightening-Clutching caretakers ❑Clumsiness ❑ Periodic Nausea/vomiting ❑ Delayed Motor Function ❑ Loss of Postural Control ❑ Difficulty in ambulation ❑ The infant may lie face down against the side of the crib with eyes closed, not wanting to be moved

General History ❑History of Prenatal/ Perinatal infection ❑Use of Otoxic Medications ❑ Congential Syndromes ❑Craniofacial anomalies ❑ Loss of Postural Control ❑Family history of hearing loss/vertigo, migraine or demyelinating disease

Specific History ❑Episodic vs Continuous ❑Time of Onset Acute/slow ❑Triggered vs spontaneous ❑Associated with hearing loss or without hearing loss ❑ Loss of Postural Control ❑ Neurological deficits

Physical Examination •  Otologic exam •  Neurological exam •  Check visual acuity •  Static and dynamic imbalance of vestibular function time of Onset Acute/slow

Gait & Gross Motor Testing •  Vestibulospinal testing –  Fukuda –  Romberg test –  Tandem gait •  Age-appropriate gross motor (Bruininks- Oseretsky test 4-21yrs)

Workup •  Audiology evaluation •  Eye examination •  Vestibular function test •  EEG •  Hematological workup (CBC, electrolytes, glucose, thyroid tests) •  Imaging indication –  Focal neurological symptoms or findings –  Worsening symptoms – Prolonged LOC (> 1 min) –  Failure of symptoms to improve

Vestibular Function Testing •  ENG battery •  Rotation testing •  Platform posturography •  Dix-Hallpike - PSSC •  Gaze testing •  Caloric ENG – LSSC –  >30% difference between side indicates a unilateral peripheral lesionion Testing

Imaging   CT of Temporal Bone –  Further evaluate craniofacial syndromes & PLF –  Defects in bony labyrinth, cholesteatoma –  Suspect tumor or previous trauma •  MRI with gadolinium –  Children with CNS findings –  Suspect schwannomas and other tumors –  Granulomatous disorders

Treatment

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Do's

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Don'ts

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References

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