Diagnostic Tests for Balance symptoms

Diagnostic Test list for Balance symptoms:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Balance symptoms includes:

• Physical examination
  • Examination of the ears for ear disease e.g. otitis media, ear wax, perforated ear drum, cholesteatoma
  • Eye examination for visual acuity and for nystagmus ( can occur with vestibular neuronitis, Meniere's disease , Acoustic neuroma, cholesteatoma, benign positional vertigo , acute labyrinthitis, cerebellar tumors , brain stem tumors , multiple sclerosis , basilar artery thrombosis or embolism, phenytoin toxicity, alcohol toxicity
  • Cardiovascular system examination for Blood pressure (laying and sitting) and cardiac arrhythmias
  • Central nervous system examination for cranial nerve palsies which may suggest Multiple sclerosis , acoustic neuroma, advanced brain stem tumor or basilar artery insufficiency
  • Central nervous system examination for disturbances of gait , co-ordination , reflexes and balance looking for cerebellar disease
  • Neck examination
• Blood tests
  • Hemoglobin to detect anemia
  • White cell count to help detect infection, especially cerebral infection e.g. meningitis, cerebral abscess
  • Glucose - to detect Diabetes (which can cause autonomic neuropathy) or low blood sugar.
• Other tests
  • ECG - to detect arrhythmias e.g. Stokes Adams attacks.
  • Audiometry - to test hearing (sensorineural hearing loss in Meniere's disease).
  • Caloric test - confirms impaired vestibular function e.g. vestibular neuronitis, Meniere's disease.
  • Visual evoked potentials - to detect Multiple sclerosis.
  • Electrocochleography - can detect Meniere's disease.
  • Spinal fluid analysis - may be required to diagnose Multiple sclerosis.
  • EEG - to detect epilepsy.
• Radiology investigation
  • Cervical spine X-Ray
  • CT Brain
  • MRI Scan brain - the choice to locate acoustic neuroma or other tumor and may detect multiple sclerosis.

 » Next page: Glossary

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