A Clinical analysis of vertigo and dizziness in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

A study was conducted on children and adolescents complaining of vertigo, dizziness and equilibrium disturbance who were examined at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Mie University Hospital from August, 2000 to July, 2010. Of the 673 patients who visited our vertigo clinic, 22 (3.3%) were 18 years of age or under. Their equilibrium and neurological status were examined. They consisted of 7 boys and 15 girls and their ages ranged from 5 to 18. Of the 22 patients, 9 had orthostatic dysregulation, 8 had peripheral vestibular disorders and 3 had benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood. In the vestibular diseases of peripheral origin, there were Ménière's disease, bilateral vestibular dysfunction, vestibular neuritis and large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Regarding the characteristics of vertigo, 8 (35%) complained of rotatory vertigo and 15 (65%) non-rotatory vertigo. Eight (36%) had some kind of hearing loss. The long term clinical course of a 5-year-old girl with Ménière's disease and the clinical course of 9-year-old girl with benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood are explained in detail.