Posttraumatic Vertigo

Author: Brian E Benson, MD; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA more...

Updated: Mar 1, 2012

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Background
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology
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Background

Vertigo is a common symptom in individuals who have experienced blunt trauma of the head, neck, and craniocervical junction. Injuries that result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, assault, and contact sports may cause vertigo. The great variability of trauma mechanisms and impact forces results in multiple possible anatomic sites of injury to the vestibular system. The signs, symptoms, and treatment modalities for posttraumatic vertigo likewise vary according to the injured anatomic structures. However, no correlation between the mechanism of injury and a specific vestibular disorder has been shown.^[1]

The most common vestibular pathologic condition associated with head trauma is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which occurs in about 28% of individuals with head trauma.^[2]Other less common vestibular disorders that result from head trauma include brainstem concussion or eighth nerve complex injury, posttraumatic Ménière syndrome or delayed endolymphatic hydrops, rupture of the round window membrane or perilymphatic fistula (PLF), and labyrinthine concussion.

Proper diagnosis of the exact vestibular disorder is the key to successful management. The focus of this article is limited to peripheral neurotologic injury and excludes the central causes of posttraumatic vertigo, which include postconcussion syndrome, whiplash injury syndrome, epileptic vertigo, diffuse axonal injury, posttraumatic migraine, and psychogenic vertigo.

An image depicting the Dix-Hallpike maneuver can be seen below.

Posttraumatic vertigo. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver.

Pathophysiology

The entire vestibular system is potentially at risk following blunt trauma to the head and neck region. Radiologic and postmortem studies indicate that the pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie these diverse vestibular injuries are sometimes unclear.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Of all the pathophysiologic mechanisms of posttraumatic vertigo, traumatic BPPV is the best understood. The underlying mechanisms of traumatic BPPV are the same as those of idiopathic BPPV and include the theories of canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis. Canalithiasis is defined as the condition of particles residing in the canal portion of the semicircular canal (SCC).^[3]These densities are considered to be free floating and mobile, causing vertigo by exerting a force. In contrast, cupulolithiasis refers to densities adhered to the cupula of the crista ampullaris. Cupulolith particles reside in the ampulla of the SCCs and are not free floating.

Brainstem concussion or eighth nerve complex injury

The eighth nerve complex is at risk for injury, even in cases of mild trauma, because of the shearing effect on the root entry zone of the nerve to the brainstem. This mechanism has been demonstrated in experimental models and in autopsy reports.

Posttraumatic Ménière syndrome or delayed endolymphatic hydrops

The mechanism of posttraumatic Ménière syndrome, aside from the disruption of the endolymphatic duct secondary to a temporal bone fracture, is thought to be caused by bleeding into the inner ear followed by a disturbance of fluid transport. One author found that trauma caused posttraumatic Ménière syndrome in 3% of 120 patients.^[4]Other studies have also described trauma that causes endolymphatic hydrops without temporal bone fractures.^[5]

Perilymphatic fistula

PLFs are abnormal communications between the inner ear and the middle ear. Although PLFs usually occur secondary to temporal bone fractures, leaks can occur through tears in the round window membrane or the ligamentous attachment of the stapes footplate to the rim of the oval window. Goodhill, who defined the exact pathophysiology of PLFs, highlighted 2 mechanisms for the rupture of the round or oval window: explosive and implosive.^[6]The explosive mechanism theory postulates that head trauma results in a sudden increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure that is transmitted to the perilymphatic fluid, causing an explosive rupture of the membranes. The implosive mechanism occurs when external trauma applied to the tympanic membrane results in an implosive rupture of either membrane.

Cervical vertigo

The pathophysiologic mechanism of cervical vertigo is poorly understood. Although many theories exist, most authors suggest that cervical vertigo is due to vascular compression and alteration of sensory input to the vestibular system.

Labyrinthine concussion

The pathophysiology of labyrinthine concussion is poorly understood. However, posttraumatic vertigo that resolves spontaneously over time, after other diagnoses have been excluded, is known as labyrinthine concussion.

Frequency

United States

The incidence of vertigo, with even mild head injury, ranges from 15-78%.

Mortality/Morbidity

The causes of posttraumatic vertigo are not fatal, but they can be associated with significant morbidity. The amount of morbidity related to posttraumatic vertigo has not been well studied. Vertigo can cause further accidents and falls if not treated appropriately. In addition, some patients may no longer be able to work and may even have to claim disability.

Race

No racial predilection has been shown to exist.

Sex

No sex predilection has been shown to exist.

Age

Posttraumatic vertigo occurs in all age groups.

Proceed to Clinical Presentation

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Brian E Benson, MD Chief, Division of Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Disorders, Director, The Voice Center, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Hackensack University Medical Center; Attending Physician, Department of Otolaryngology, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center

Brian E Benson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Rowley S Busino, MD Staff Physician, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Rowley S Busino, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Head and Neck Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Monika I Sidor, MD Resident Physician, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Medical School

Monika I Sidor, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Soly Baredes, MD Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Soly Baredes, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Laryngological Association, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, New York Head and Neck Society, North American Skull Base Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Triological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jack A Shohet, MD President, Shohet Ear Associates Medical Group, Inc; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine

Jack A Shohet, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Neurotology Society, American Tinnitus Association, and California Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Peter S Roland, MD Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director of Clinical Center for Auditory, Vestibular and Facial Nerve Disorders, Chief of Pediatric Otology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders, University of Texas School of Human Development

Peter S Roland, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Auditory Society, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, North American Skull Base Society, and Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons

Disclosure: Alcon Labs Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Advanced Bionics Honoraria Board membership; Cochlear Corp Honoraria Board membership; Med El Corp travel grants Consulting; Foresight Consulting fee Consulting

Christopher L Slack, MD Private Practice in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders

Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA Professor of Otolaryngology, Dentistry, and Engineering, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation Unrestricted gift Unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position; Cerescan Imaging Consulting; Headwatersmb Consulting fee Consulting; Venturequest Royalty Consulting

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