Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate patients after blunt trauma of the head, neck, and craniocervical junction with vertigo and to report the results of treatment after extensive diagnostics.
Methods: 63 patients (2000–2002) treated at the department after blunt head and neck trauma (no fractures were included) who complained of vertigo immediately after the trauma (primary disorder) or after a delay of 3 weeks to 3 months (secondary disorder) were investigated by a neurotological follow-up before and after therapy. It included caloric, rotatory testing, dynamic posturography, and—if necessary—otolith testing and EcoG. Audiometric tests (PTA, OAE recordings) were included.
Results: The primary disorders included labyrinthine concussion (18), rupture of the round window membrane (6), and cervicogenic vertigo (12). The secondary disorders included otolith disorder (5), delayed endolymphatic hydrops (12), and canalolithiasis (reoccurring) (9). The patients (except those with cervicogenic vertigo) were free of vertigo after treatment which consisted of habituation training, medical, and surgical therapy options.
Conclusions: Posttraumatic vertigo can be treated with a high success rate once the underlying disorder has been identified. The extent of the neurotological test battery is the most important prerequisite for a therapeutic success. Surgical measures (eg, saccotomy, canal occlusion, neurectomy) should be an integral part if conservative treatment is not effective.