Andrea Castellucci1, Pasquale Malara2, Cristina Brandolini3, Valeria Del Vecchio3, Davide Giordano1, Angelo Ghidini1, Gian Gaetano Ferri4, Antonio Pirodda3. 1. ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL - Center for Clinical and Basic Research (IRCCS), viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy. 2. Audiology & Vestibology Service, Centromedico, Viale Officina 7, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland. 3. ENT & Audiology Unit, Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), S. Orsola - Malpighi University Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. 4. ENT & Audiology Unit, Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), S. Orsola - Malpighi University Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: giangaetano.ferri@unibo.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe a unique case of acute vertigo presenting with spontaneous horizontal nystagmus (SHN) and a clinical picture consistent with right acute peripheral vestibular loss (APVL) in which an isolated hypofunction of a horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) permitted to detect a spontaneous canalith jam and treat the patient accordingly. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 74-year old woman presented with acute vertigo, left-beating SHN and a clinical picture consistent with right APVL. Nevertheless, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were normal with symmetrical amplitudes and the video head impulse test (vHIT) revealed an isolated hypofunction of the right HSC. After repeated head shakings, the supine roll test evoked bilaterally a positioning paroxysmal geotropic horizontal nystagmus suggesting benign paroxysmal positional vertigo involving the non-ampullated arm of the right HSC. vHIT and caloric testing confirmed restitution of HSC function after repositioning maneuvers. CONCLUSIONS: In case of acute vertigo with SHN, a complete functional assessment of vestibular receptors and afferents should always be given in order to avoid misdiagnosis. Canalith jam should be considered in case of spontaneous nystagmus and isolated canal hypofunction.
OBJECTIVES: To describe a unique case of acute vertigo presenting with spontaneous horizontal nystagmus (SHN) and a clinical picture consistent with right acute peripheral vestibular loss (APVL) in which an isolated hypofunction of a horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) permitted to detect a spontaneous canalith jam and treat the patient accordingly. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 74-year old woman presented with acute vertigo, left-beating SHN and a clinical picture consistent with right APVL. Nevertheless, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were normal with symmetrical amplitudes and the video head impulse test (vHIT) revealed an isolated hypofunction of the right HSC. After repeated head shakings, the supine roll test evoked bilaterally a positioning paroxysmal geotropic horizontal nystagmus suggesting benign paroxysmal positional vertigo involving the non-ampullated arm of the right HSC. vHIT and caloric testing confirmed restitution of HSC function after repositioning maneuvers. CONCLUSIONS: In case of acute vertigo with SHN, a complete functional assessment of vestibular receptors and afferents should always be given in order to avoid misdiagnosis. Canalith jam should be considered in case of spontaneous nystagmus and isolated canal hypofunction.
Authors: Michael C Schubert; Janet Helminski; David S Zee; Elisabetta Cristiano; Antonio Giannone; Giuseppe Tortoriello; Vincenzo Marcelli Journal: Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol Date: 2020-01-16