Intractable vertigo--when not to operate

Abstract

Patients with episodic vertigo--or one severe episode of vertigo--may respond to vestibulosuppressive medications or operations on the labyrinth. In patients with constant incapacitating vertigo or disequilibrium, the clinician should suspect nonlabyrinthine disease. A careful history and physical and neurologic examinations will provide clues to underlying disease and direct the selection of further objective tests.