ABSTRACT
True vertigo is a sensation that the patient or his or her surroundings are rotating. It should be distinguished from 'light-headedness' or pre-syncope. Dizziness is a non-specific term that should be further clarified before pursuing a differential diagnosis. The perception of linear or rotatory acceleration is one of the functions of the vestibular system, which comprises the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve and the brainstem. Although many cases of acute vertigo are caused by relatively benign peripheral disorders, such as vestibular neuritis or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, it is important to diagnose serious central causes, such as neoplasia, haemorrhage or ischaemia affecting the brainstem. Eye movements and nystagmus. Nystagmus due to peripheral lesions is usually horizontal and rotatory, and is lessened by gaze fixation, whereas central nystagmus is purely horizontal, vertical or rotatory, and is not lessened by gaze fixation.
