Drop attacks in elderly patients secondary to otologic causes with Meniere's syndrome or non-Meniere peripheral vestibulopathy

Abstract

Many neurologists are unaware of the drop attack that may occur from an inner ear dysfunction especially in elderly. We studied the clinical features and results of quantitative audiovestibular tests in six elderly patients (> or =65 years of age) who presented with drop attacks attributable to an inner ear pathology. Group was divided into Meniere's syndrome (4) or non-Meniere peripheral vestibulopathy (2). Standard dizziness questionnaire and quantitative audiovestibular function testing were performed. Episodes were described as a sudden push to the ground in four or a violent illusionary movement of environment leading to a fall in two. All cases gave a history of prior vertiginous episodes and vestibular testing revealed unilateral caloric paresis. Ipsilateral hearing loss was documented in four cases. Our results suggest that otologic causes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the drop attack in elderly, even if the symptoms and signs were not consistent with Meniere's syndrome.