Abstract
Background: Vertigo is one of the most challenging problems
faced by the otolaryngologist in every day practice. The aim of this
study is to investigate the aetiology, and the clinical course of
vertigo in our setting
Materials and methods: Forty-six consecutive patients attending
the ENT Clinic of a Nigerian tertiary health institution with the
chief complaints of vertigo were prospectively studied. The
patients’ history, clinical examination, the results of the laboratory
investigations as well as the diagnostic imaging findings and the
treatment modalities were reviewed. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 24 months.
Results: There were 27(58.7%) males and 19(41.3%) females. The incidence of Vertigo was found to increase with age with a peak
incidence in the 6th decade of life. The aetiologies of vertigo were found to be: Infectious diseases of the ear in 9(19.6%), Neoplasm 8(17.4%), Menieres 8(17.4.3%), Metabolic diseases 5(10.9%),
while vascular disorders were found in 4(8.7%). Trauma occurred in 4(8.7%), Ocular pathology in 3(6.5%), while Vestibulotoxicity was found in 2(4.3%). Others include, Psychogenic causes in
2(4.3%) and vestibular neuronitis was the least found in 1(2.2%) of the patients.
Laboratory investigations were unremarkable in all of the cases.
Fasting blood sugar was found to be elevated in one of the patients with Diabetes and VDRL tests was found to be positive in the only
patients with Otosyphilis. Electrocardiography (ECG), Vanyl Mandelic Acid (VMA), and thyroid function tests were normal in those patients where these investigations were indicated.
Radiological investigations were helpful in detecting Temporal
bone and cerebello-pontine angle tumours. Treatment consisted of abyrinthine sedative, the treatments of the primary cause and physiotherapy. Mortality was found in 2.2% of the patients.
Conclusion: Infective ear diseases, Menieres’ and neoplasms were found to be common. Vertigo in our centre represents an extremely
broad spectrum of diagnosis. A thorough and a multidisciplinary
evaluation of a vertiginous patient in a tertiary centre is hereby advocated.
2005-09-10
Amusa YB, Akinpelu OV, Komolafe EO, Adeolu AA, Komolafe MA, Olateju SO, Adegbeingbe OD, Famurewa OC, Ashaleye CM. Aetiology of Vertigo in A Nigerian Tertiary Health Facility, A Multidisciplinary Approach. Nig J Otorhinolaryngol 2005; 2(2): 54-59
Vol. 2 Issue No. 2 September 2005
Articles
Vol. 2 Issue No. 2 September 2005
/ ArticleAetiology of Vertigo in A Nigerian Tertiary Health Facility, A Multidisciplinary Approach
Amusa YB
ORL Unit, Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University. Ile-Ife, Nigeria
yamusa@oauife.edu.ng
Akinpelu O.V
Komolafe EO
Adeolu AA
Komolafe MA
Olateju SO
Adegbeingbe OD
Famurewa OC
Ashaleye CM