The document discusses the structure and function of the vestibular system, which is essential for balance and equilibrium. It highlights how trauma, such as head impacts or rapid movements, can lead to injuries in this system, potentially causing disorders like vertigo and tinnitus. Various tests, including the Fukuda test and electronystagmagram, are mentioned for diagnosing vestibular damage.

1. RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL TRAUMATIC
VESTIBULAR INJURIES
Edward K. Le
Edward K. Le, PLLC
135 Park Ave N.
Renton, Wa 98056
425 336 2255
www.edwardkle.com
edward@edwardkle.com

2. Our Vestibular System Is Composed of Several Complex
Anatomical Parts All Interdependent On One Another

3. It Controls Our Sense of Balance and Equilibrium
Through Mechanisms In The Semicircular Canal

4. Cupula
Ampulla
Endolymph
Ampullary
Crista
Semicircular
Canal
When Semicircular Canal Senses Rotation, Neurologic
Impulses Are Sent to Our Brain

5. Horizontal canal
Anterior vertical canal
Posterior vertical canal
Vestibular Nerve
Facial Nerve
Vestibulocochlear
(VIII) Nerve
Cochlea
Cochlear NerveCochlear Nerve
UtricleSaccule
The Information Is Transmitted Through A
Vast System of Canals and Nevrves

6. Auditory Input and Data Transmit to the Brain For
Neuronal Translation and Comprehension

7. We Rely Our Vestibular System For
Every Activities in Our Daily Life

8. STANDING ON LADDERS

9. WALKING ON UNEVEN SURFACES

10. HIKING

11. RUNNING

12. READING

13. PLAYING SPORTS OR ENGAGING IN RECREATION

14. Because of Its Fragility, Vestibular System Can Be Injured With
Direct Impact or Rapid Movement of the Head

15. Through Rapid Acceleration or Deceleration or Brain Trauma

16. This Is Typically From Motor Vehicle Collisions or Falls

17. The Semi-Circular Canal or Vestibular Nerve Can Be Damage By
Direct Impact or Rapid Acceleration/Deceleration of the Head

18. NORMAL ABNORMAL
The Hair Cell or Cilia May Be Damaged Through Trauma which
Causes Disruption to Sensory Nerve Fibers

19. ONE EXAMPLE IS THE FUKUDA TEST
TO ASSESS FOR VESTIBULAR OR BALANCE DISORDER, DOCTORS
PERFORMED CLINICAL TESTS TO EVALUATE SYSTEM

20. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE DIX-HALLPIKE TEST

21. ANOTHER IS THE CALORIC IRRIGATION TEST

22. THERE ARE ALSO OBJECTIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO ASSESS FOR
VESTIBULAR DAMAGE
ONE OBJECTIVE TEST IS THE VIDEONYSTAGMAGRAM

23. TEST MEASURES & COMPARES WEAKNESS IN BOTH EARS

24. WHAT ELECTRONYSTAGRAM IS DESIGNED TO LOOK FOR
SIGNS OF NYSTAGMUS AND OPTOKINETIC TRACKING

25. SUBTLE INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT OF NYSTAGMUS

26. NYSTAGMUS CAN BE VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL

27. • ABNORMAL LATENCY OF EYE
TRACKING MOVEMENT
• ABNORMAL ACCURACY ON EYE
TRACKING
• ABNORMAL GAIN ON SINUSOIDAL
OPTOKINETIC DIAGNOSTIC
• ABNORMAL NYSTAGMUS ON STATIC
POSITTIONAL TESTS
• ABNORMAL BEATING NYSTAGMUS
DURING WARM STIMULATION
CLASSIC SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO OR BALANCE DISORDER
THAT WOULD BE REVEALED ON ELECTRONYSTAGMAGRAM

28. ELECTRONYSTAGRAM ALSO LOOKS FOR ASYMMETRY OF
NYSTAGMUS ON HORIZONTAL GAZE

29. ELECTRONYSTAGRAM ALSO LOOKS FOR EVIDENCE OF
SPONTANEOUS NYSTAGMUS ON FIXATION

30. ANOTHER OBJECTIVE TEST IS THE ACTIVE VORTEQ TEST

31. TYPICAL DIAGNOSIS IS MADE BY AN OTOLOGYST OR
OTOLARYNGOLOGIST OR AN OTOLOGYST

32. • Ringing In the Ears
• Abnormally loud
sounds in the ear
canal
ANOTHER COMMON VESTIBULAR INJURY IS TINNITUS

33. • Disruptive of Daily Life
• Harder to Hear and
Listen
• Harder to
Communicate
• More Headaches
EFFECT OF TINNITUS ON EVERYDAY LIFE

34. TINNITUS IS INCURABLE & PERMANENT

35. Email: Edward@edwardkle.com
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