Vertigo in Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment

Overview

4.8 out of 5 (62 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

12 Sep 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Activity Description

Vertigo is a common symptom in primary care and emergency rooms, characterized by a spinning sensation caused by vestibular issues. Accurate diagnosis requires distinguishing it from other types of dizziness, such as presyncope, imbalance, or lightheadedness. Causes originating from the periphery, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or vestibular neuritis, typically have a good prognosis. In contrast, central causes—such as cerebrovascular disease, tumors, or demyelinating conditions—often have worse outcomes if not diagnosed promptly. While symptoms can overlap, specific clinical and neurological signs help differentiate peripheral from central causes. Incorrect diagnosis or delays in treatment can result in complications, underscoring the importance of careful history and physical examinations to guide therapy, which may involve repositioning, medication, or additional tests to address central issues.

The course covers characteristics, causes, recognition, management, and prevention of vertigo, aiming to improve clinician skills in diagnosis and treatment. This course highlights key clinical features, diagnostic tools, and evidence-based guidelines to help healthcare professionals deliver optimal care. Participants learn to gather neurological histories and perform focused examinations to distinguish between peripheral and central vertigo, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy. The curriculum includes treatment options such as canalith repositioning for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, medical management for vestibular neuritis, and patient education on recognizing symptoms. The importance of interprofessional collaboration among neurologists, otolaryngologists, radiologists, and therapists is emphasized, highlighting the need for coordinated diagnostic tests and personalized treatment. This team approach enhances diagnosis, reduces complications, and promotes better patient outcomes through multidisciplinary care.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify key clinical features of vertigo, including sensations of rotational motion, to differentiate it from other types of dizziness, such as presyncope or lightheadedness.

  • Distinguish peripheral causes, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and vestibular neuritis, from central causes like cerebrovascular disease and neoplasms by conducting a thorough neurological history and examination.

  • Identify the essential systemic and neurological examination findings that differentiate central vertigo from peripheral vertigo.

  • Collaborate and communicate with other members of the interprofessional healthcare team to improve clinical outcomes for patients affected by vertigo.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn their required annual part II self-assessment credit in the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery’s Continuing Certification program (formerly known as MOC). It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of recognizing participation.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

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Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6344 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7563 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$399 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$649 per 1 year per user