Vestibular disorders: cervical vertigo: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Vestibular disorders: cervical vertigo

Sample item

A 55-year-old man has brief dizziness only when he extends and rotates his neck, with neck stiffness and normal vestibular tests. Which statement is correct about this diagnosis?

AIt is the commonest cause of vertigo and needs no work-upBIt is confirmed by caloric testingCIt always causes sensorineural hearing lossDCervical vertigo is a diagnosis of exclusion after vestibular and vascular causes are ruled out

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Cervical vertigo is a diagnosis of exclusion after vestibular and vascular causes are ruled out

Cervical vertigo is attributed to abnormal proprioceptive input from the upper cervical spine, but it is controversial and diagnosed only after other causes, including vertebrobasilar insufficiency, are excluded. Treatment is neck physiotherapy. Hearing is usually normal.

Option by option

A. It is the commonest cause of vertigo and needs no work-up
It is uncommon and needs a full work-up.
B. It is confirmed by caloric testing
Caloric tests assess the labyrinth, not the neck.
C. It always causes sensorineural hearing loss
Hearing is not affected.
D. Cervical vertigo is a diagnosis of exclusion after vestibular and vascular causes are ruled out (correct)
Correct. It is a diagnosis of exclusion.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Cervical vertigo is a diagnosis of exclusion after vestibular and vascular causes are ruled out. Cervical vertigo is attributed to abnormal proprioceptive input from the upper cervical spine, but it is controversial and diagnosed only after other causes, including vertebrobasilar insufficiency, are excluded.

Why is "It is the commonest cause of vertigo and needs no work-up" not the answer?

It is uncommon and needs a full work-up.

Why is "It is confirmed by caloric testing" not the answer?

Caloric tests assess the labyrinth, not the neck.

Why is "It always causes sensorineural hearing loss" not the answer?

Hearing is not affected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: cervical vertigo in ENT. Treatment is neck physiotherapy. Hearing is usually normal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Vestibular disorders: cervical vertigo?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.