Role of electronystagmography as a definitive tool in evaluation of vertigo: a clinical study

Background: Vertigo is one of the most distressing symptoms. It is difficult to identify, practically impossible to measure and not easy to treat. Electronystagmography (ENG) objectively records eye movements and thus tests the functional integrity of vestibulo-ocular reflex and its connections from inner ear to the brain. Hence, this present study was taken to evaluate the role of ENG in the diagnosis of vertigo, to know the peripheral, central and other causes of vertigo and to know the side of lesion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ENG in the diagnosis of vertigo, to know the peripheral, central and other causes of vertigo and to know the side of lesion. Methods: This study included 60 patients who presented with primary complaints of vertigo or dizziness. Patients were subjected to ENG under optimal conditions and the results were obtained in the form of a graphical recordings after analysis of the ENG data. Results: Of the 60 patients subjected to ENG, a peripheral cause was seen in 33 patients. 21 patients were diagnosed with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), whereas 06 patients showed a central lesion of the vestibular system. Conclusions: ENG acts as a useful screening tool to differentiate between peripheral cause of vertigo and central cause of vertigo. It has special significance in localizing the side of the lesion. Hence, ENG has proven to be a useful first line investigation in the diagnosis of vertigo.