[The differential diagnosis of recurrent episodes of vertigo].

UNLABELLED: Recurrent episodes of vertigo are one of the most frequent reasons of referrals for medical help. In the Russian medicine, the development of vertigo is traditionally associated with a cerebral vascular pathology. It is suggested that correctly planned clinical neurovestibular study may identify the signs of a balance disorder of peripheral and central genesis.

OBJECTIVE: To increase the effectiveness of the differential diagnosis of peripheral and central vertigo in patients with recurrent episodes of balance disorders using the protocol of neurovestibular examination ALGORITM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 120 outpatients with preliminary diagnoses of cerebral ischemia and autonomic vascular dystonia.

RESULTS: Signs of lesion of peripheral and central regions of the vestibular system were found in 43.5 and 17.5% patients, respectively. Benign positional vertigo was the most frequent cause of vertigo while chronic cerebral ischemia was identified in 16.5% of the patients.

CONCLUSION: Neurovestibularexamnation using the protocol ALGORITM is important for assessment of the level of vestibular system lesion. Iitis necessary to use it in complex examination of patients with complaints of vertigo.