Importance of cervicogenic general dizziness

Abstract

A 15-month retrospective study of 1,000 outpatients was conducted to determine the exact cause of general dizziness. The most common diagnosis in all analyzed cases was cervicogenic general dizziness (89%). The majority of the patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine had narrow spinal canals. Measuring the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal in each case was critical to obtain an accurate diagnosis in line with the diagnostic criteria used. General dizziness may develop because of inappropriate neck posture over long periods of time in individuals with some form of underlying cervical disease. The causes of general dizziness were different between male and female patients and between patients of different age groups. Triggers leading to general dizziness included engaging in farming, gardening, or weeding activities for long periods of time, particularly in elderly women. Selection of the appropriate muscle relaxant type and dosage is important in the treatment of patients with cervicogenic general dizziness who also experience a stiff neck and shoulders. Following treatment, 90% of patients no longer experienced general dizziness or exhibited clear improvements in their symptoms within 1 week. The results of this study emphasize the importance of cervicogenic general dizziness, which is due to cervical vertebral lesions and is exacerbated by excessive stress on the cervical spine.

Keywords: cervicogenic; general dizziness; muscle relaxants; narrow spinal canal.

Figure 1

Number of male patients with general dizziness in each age group.

Figure 2

Number of female patients with general dizziness in each age group.

Figure 3

A: Causes of general dizziness in male patients between the age of 10 and 29 years (n = 19). B: Causes of general dizziness in male patients between the age of 30 and 59 years (n = 68). C: Causes of general dizziness in male patients over the age of 60 years (n = 115).

Figure 4

A: Causes of general dizziness in female patients between the ages of 10 and 29 years (n = 36). B: Causes of general dizziness in female patients between the ages of 30 and 59 years (n = 185). C: Causes of general dizziness in female patients over the age of 60 years (n = 289).

Figure 5

A: Number of patients with general dizziness by season (men). B: Number of patients with general dizziness by season (women).

Figure 6

Case 1: Sagittal MRI (0.3-T), cervical cross-section, T2-weighted image.

Figure 7

Case 2: Sagittal MRI (0.3-T), cervical cross-section, T2-weighted image.

Figure 8

Case 3: Sagittal MRI (0.3-T), cervical cross-section, T2-weighted image.

Figure 9

Case 4: Sagittal MRI (0.3-T), cervical cross-section, T2-weighted image.