CVT Assessment & Diagnosis of Vestibular Disorders

Question 1

Which test evaluates the function of the semicircular canals?

Accepted Answer

Head impulse test

Answer

The Head Impulse Test (HIT), also known as the Head Thrust Test, is a quick bedside test specifically designed to assess the function of the semicircular canals, particularly the horizontal canals. It involves rapidly turning the patient's head while they fixate on a target. A corrective saccade (a 'catch-up' eye movement) indicates a deficit in the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) on the side of the head turn, suggesting hypofunction of that semicircular canal.

Question 2

What does the Dix-Hallpike maneuver assess?

Accepted Answer

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

Answer

The Dix-Hallpike maneuver is a diagnostic test used to identify Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). It involves specific head and body movements designed to provoke vertigo and nystagmus if otoconia (calcium carbonate crystals) have dislodged into one of the semicircular canals, most commonly the posterior canal. The characteristic nystagmus and vertigo confirm the diagnosis and help identify the affected canal.

Question 3

Which imaging technique is commonly used to rule out central causes of dizziness?

Accepted Answer

MRI

Answer

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging technique for evaluating central causes of dizziness and vestibular symptoms. It provides detailed images of the brainstem, cerebellum, and other central nervous system structures, allowing clinicians to identify conditions such as tumors, strokes, multiple sclerosis, or other lesions that could be affecting vestibular pathways. This helps differentiate central from peripheral vestibular disorders.

Question 4

What symptom often distinguishes peripheral from central vestibular disorders?

Accepted Answer

Auditory symptoms such as hearing loss

Answer

Peripheral vestibular disorders originate in the inner ear or the vestibular nerve, which are anatomically close to the cochlea (the hearing organ). Therefore, symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or aural fullness often accompany peripheral vestibular issues, such as Ménière's disease or labyrinthitis. Central vestibular disorders, affecting the brain, typically do not present with these auditory symptoms.

Question 5

Which condition is characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Ménière’s disease

Answer

Ménière’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder characterized by a classic triad of symptoms: episodic rotational vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, often accompanied by aural fullness. These symptoms are believed to be caused by an abnormal buildup of endolymphatic fluid within the inner ear, known as endolymphatic hydrops, which disrupts the normal function of the vestibular and auditory systems.

(CVT) Certified Vestibular Therapist Practice Test

(CVT) Certified Vestibular Therapist Practice Test

CVT Assessment & Diagnosis of Vestibular Disorders