Clinical Applications and Related Projects

Abstract

Considerable progress in the differential diagnosis of vestibular disease and related neurological disorders has been made over recent years. It hardly needs to be mentioned that the case history is of extreme importance in the diagnosis of disorders involving any symptoms of dizziness, imbalance and/or spatial disorientation. In consequence, the selection of laboratory tests to be performed on any single patient must derive from the indications observed during preliminary screening or bedside examination. Thus, in many cases, laboratory testing serves the confirmation and refinement of the findings of a well-conducted physical or bedside examination. Given the cost in time and effort involved in the laboratory tests, judicious selection is recommended. Fortunately, the facilities in the laboratory provide for objective assessment of the related brain functions and for quantifying asymmetry, hypofunction or hyperfunction of the vestibular labyrinth.