Cervical vertigo and cervical spondylosis--a need for adequate evaluation.

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine spondylotic changes are known to cause vertigo. The mechanism by which cervical vertigo is induced is very debatable. This study was to highlight the prevalence of vertigo and other vestibulocochlear organ affectation in patients with cervical spondylosis and to serve as a template for further research in this area.

METHODOLOGY: A six-year retrospective review of vertiginous patients with radiological evidence of cervical spondylosis seen at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients, 23 males (53.5%) and 20 females (46.5%) had vertigo as a symptom and radiological evaluation for cervical spondylosis. The radiological findings were normal in 11 patients (26%) and abnormal in 32 patients (74%). Of the twenty-five patients who had pure tone audiometry, 40% were normal and 60% abnormal. Out of 20 affected ears, seven patients (47%) had right, 3 patients (20%) left and 5 patients (33%) both ear involved respectively. High frequency range was affected in 8 (40%), low in 2 (10%) and all in 10 (50%) ears respectively. Decibel hearing level (dBHL) loss ranged from 30-90 dBHL with a mean binaural of 43 (+/- 8.5) dBHL.

CONCLUSION

We advocate early multidisciplinary approach in the management of all established cases of cervical vertigo.