Clinical Trial: Accuracy of a Diagnostic Algorithm for the Differential Diagnosis of Vertigo in the ED: the STANDING.

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Accuracy of a Diagnostic Algorithm for the Differential Diagnosis of Vertigo in the Emergency Department: the STANDING.

Brief Summary:

This study evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a simplified clinical algorithm (STANDING) for the differential diagnosis of acute vertigo in the emergency department.

In particular, the investigators want to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of the test for the diagnosis of vertigo of central origin and the reproducibility of the test.

In suspected central vertigo of ischemic origin, a duplex sonography to identify vertebral artery pathology will be performed.


Detailed Summary:

The STANDING test is a structured diagnostic algorithm based on previously described diagnostic signs or bedside maneuvers, the investigators have logically assembled in four sequential steps.

1) Assessment of nystagmus presence (spontaneous vs positional) 2) Assessment of nystagmus direction 3) Head Impulse Test (HIT) 4) Standing (SponTaneous, Direction, hIt, standiNG: STANDING)

  1. First, the presence of nystagmus will be assessed with Frenzel goggles in a supine position after at least five minutes of rest. When no spontaneous nystagmus is present in the main gaze positions, the presence of a positional nystagmus will be assessed by the Pagnini test first and then by the Dix-Hallpike test (5). The presence of a positional, transient nystagmus will be considered typical of BPPV.
  2. Instead, when spontaneous nystagmus is present, the direction will be examined: multidirectional nystagmus, such as bidirectional gaze-evoked nystagmus (ie, right beating nystagmus present with gaze toward the right and left beating nystagmus present with gaze toward the left side), and a vertical (up or down beating) nystagmus will be considered signs of central vertigo (Video 3).
  3. When the nystagmus is unidirectional (ie, nystagmus beating on the same side independent of the gaze direction) we will performed the Head Impulse Test (HIT)(13). When an acute lesion occurs on one labyrinth, the input from the opposite side is unopposed and as a result, when the head is rapidly moved toward the affected side, the eyes will be initially pushed toward that side and, immediately after, a corrective eye movement (corrective "saccade") back to the point of reference is seen. When the corrective "saccade" is present the HIT is considered pos
    Sponsor: Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi

    Current Primary Outcome: acute brain injury [ Time Frame: 3 months ]

    The reference standard (central vertigo) was a composite of acute brain injury at initial head imaging or a diagnosis of stroke, demyelinating disease, neoplasm or other acute brain disease during 3 months follow-up


    Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

    Current Secondary Outcome:

    Original Secondary Outcome:

    Information By: Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi

    Dates:
    Date Received: May 23, 2016
    Date Started: December 2014
    Date Completion:
    Last Updated: June 6, 2016
    Last Verified: June 2016