[Importance of the general radiograph of the cervical spine in vertigo and pathologic proprioceptive cervical nystagmus].

The general roentgenogram of the cervical spine often shows manifold pathological alterations by patients without any clinical complaints. On the other hand, there are cervical vertigo and different symptoms caused by the cervical spine, its joints, muscles and ligaments without any X-ray manifestation. Nevertheless, some connections are assumed to exist between vertigo and alterations of the cervical spine an assumption supported especially by the frequently successful elimination of cervical troubles by chirotherapy. We compared the X-ray manifestations in patients complaining of vertigo with any and without any pathological proprioceptive cervical nystagmus provoked by examination according to Moser and revealed by electronystagmography. The extended posture of the cervical spine seems to point to a possible cause of vertigo. Likewise, some degenerative alterations seem to exercise a pathological effect, provoking cervical vertigo additionally if both effects are combined. Uncovertebral arthroses seem to have the same effect without occurring in combination with other effects. The general roentgenogram of the cervical spine in the sloping, lateral and anterior-posterior direction may consequently point to some possible causes of cervical vertigo.