The Outpatient Approach to Dizziness

Semin Neurol. 2021 Dec;41(6):771-780. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1726369. Epub 2021 Nov 26.

Abstract

The evaluation of the dizzy patient is complicated by many common pitfalls. The patient's description of symptoms and the standard neurologic examination are often nonspecific or unrevealing, and neuroimaging is most often normal. Over the past several years, research has demonstrated that a refocusing of history taking results in more reliable and diagnostically helpful information. This can guide a targeted expansion of the exam, often with an emphasis on eye movements.

MeSH terms

  • Dizziness* / diagnosis
  • Dizziness* / etiology
  • Dizziness* / therapy
  • Eye Movements
  • Humans
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Outpatients*
  • Vertigo