Contemporary Neurology Series: Clinical Neurophysiology of the Vestibular System (PDF)

The vestibular system plays a crucial role in enabling a person to remain oriented and move through his environment successfully. Dysfunction of this complex system may leave a patient totally disabled. "e;Dizziness"e; is a complaint commonly heard by neurologists, otolaryngologists, and other health care providers, yet its origins are many and often difficult to pinpoint and to treat. Clinical Neurophysiology of the Vestibular System is a classic text that provides a framework for understanding the pathphysiology of diseases involving the vestibular system. Part I reviews the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system, with emphasis on clinically relevant material. Part II outlines important features in the patient's history, examination, and laboratory evaluation. Part III presents differential diagnostic points that help the clinician decide on the cause and treatment of the patient's problem. Part IV is a new section on the symptomatic treatment of vertigo. The third edition is thoroughly revised and has been expanded, covering the rapid advances that have occurred in the field in the last ten years. There are new chapters on the laboratory diagnosis of vestibular dysfunction, migraine, immune-mediated disorders, inherited disorders, symptomatic treatment of vertigo, antiemetic and antivertigo drugs, and vestibular rehabilitation.