Dizziness and vertigo presentations in the emergency department

Abstract

Dizziness and vertigo are common reasons that patients present to the emergency department. Most patients have benign or self-limited causes, but a small proportion harbor a dangerous disorder such as ischemic stroke. In this chapter, we highlight the critical steps in evaluating and managing patients who present with dizziness symptoms in the emergency setting. We focus on the symptom of vertigo and distinguishing peripheral vestibular from central vestibular disorders.