Clinical characteristics of cervicogenic-related dizziness and vertigo

Semin Neurol. 2013 Jul;33(3):244-55. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1354592. Epub 2013 Sep 21.

Abstract

Cervical vertigo has long been a controversial entity and its very existence as a medical entity has advocates and opponents. Supporters of cervical vertigo claim that its actual prevalence is underestimated due to the overestimation of other diagnostic categories in clinics. Furthermore, different pathophysiological mechanisms have been attributed to cervical vertigo. Here the authors discuss the clinical characteristics of rotational vertebral artery vertigo, postwhiplash vertigo, proprioceptive cervical vertigo, and cervicogenic vertigo of old age. A clinical entity named subclinical vertebrobasilar insufficiency appears in the context of cervical osteoarticular changes. Migraine-associated vertigo may explain why some patients suffering from cervical pain have vertigo while others do not.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cervical Vertebrae / physiopathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dizziness / pathology
  • Dizziness / physiopathology*
  • Dizziness / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Neck / pathology
  • Neck / physiopathology
  • Neck Injuries / complications
  • Neck Injuries / physiopathology
  • Vertigo / pathology
  • Vertigo / physiopathology*
  • Vertigo / therapy*
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / physiopathology