By D. Nichelle Cashe
A 20 yo female came into the Minute Clinic with c/o feeling poorly, ear fullness and dizziness. Objects seem to be in motion when she tries to focus Symptoms had begun 1 week previous She works as a childcare provider Symptoms had not prevented her from going to work, but had now gotten untolerable. Has taken dayquil and nyquil to help improve symptoms with minimal success. H/o tumor behind the R ear and previous DX of cholesteoma and murmur.
Afebrile, VSS. Normocephalic, EOM intact, PERRLA. Bilat TMs are red ; Fluid present behind R TM. Nares patent; turbinated pink and moist. Oropharynx moist, pink with PND noted in posterior pharynx. Cardio: RRR, S1 S2. Previous h/o innocent murmur(I/VI)
Acute Otitis Media: 2 caps BID x 10days. Vertigo (due to her h/o R ear tumor, we are unable to treat her at the Minute Clinic for this dx.) Advised to f/u with ENT if symptoms do not improve or worsen within 3 days.
BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) ◦ Disorder of the inner ear that is characterized by episodes of a spinning sensation. Subjective vertigo- you feel that you are spinninig Objective vertigo- the sensation that the room is spinning ◦ Accounts for 42% of cases of vertigo ◦ Rate of recurrence is 50% or higher ◦ Average age of onset is 51 years old ◦ Commonly caused by calcium carbonate and protein crystals (otoconia) that collect in posterior semicircular canal.
Complete health history Medications Assess for head trauma, ear disease, or sx. Thorough P.E. important ◦ HEENT ◦ Neuro exam (coordination, gait, sensation)
Dix-Hallpike Maneuver (The gold standard) ◦ The goal of the exam is duplicate the symptoms ◦ This will determine if the cause of vertigo is benign. ◦ Use caution in patients with head, neck and back issues. ◦ (3 min video showing Dix Hallpike & Epley’s Maneuver) Positive response shows (tortional upbeating nystagmus) If positive begin canalith repositioning (Epley’s Manuever) These maneuvers have a 90% success rate Meclizine-12.5mg, 25mg or 50mg q4hrs prn on a short term basis. Most helpful with Labyrinth Vertigo.
Meniere’s disease Vestibular Neuritis Labyrinthitis Vestibular Schwannoma Trauma Presyncope Lightheadedness Disequilibrium Migraine