Vestibular DIS Syllabus – Fall 2008

Balance Disorders Assignment – 25%

Write a short paper on each of the disorders below. Each

should be 500-1000 words each with a separate reference
section. Use the following format for the papers:

I. Nature of the disorder/phenomenon

II. Nature of its effect on balance function
III. Key factors in its diagnosis
IV. Management of balance symptoms caused by the
disorder
V. References

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Endolymphatic Hydrops (Meniere’s)
Vestibular Neuritis
Labyrinthitis
Vestibular Ototoxicity
Migraine-Associated Dizziness
Disequilibrium of Aging
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
Positional Alcohol Nystagmus
Anxiety Disorders as a cause of Disequilibrium

Assignment due Friday September 26

Case History Assignment – 25%

The attached case history form contains many items about

which a patient with a balance disorder is asked to give
information. List each item on the form and next to or
underneath each item indicate the reason that the information
is important. For example:

How long do your attacks of vertigo last?

This information is important because the length of the attack

is often related to the specific disorder. Attacks that last only a
few seconds to a few minutes may be BPPV, PLF, SSCD…etc.

Due Friday October 10

Vestibular Assessment Notebook Assignment – 25%

Compile a notebook of Vestibular Tests. The different sections

of this notebook should be done in outline form. For each test
include the following:

I. Purpose of the test

II. Step-by-step description of how to give the test
III. Step-by-step instructions to the patient
IV. Interpretation of findings

Tests to be included:

INFORMAL TESTS
Dix-Hallpike
Vertebral Artery Test
Gans SOP Test
High Frequency Head Shake
Monocular Eye Cover
Dynamic Visual Acuity
Halmagyi Head Thrust
Hennebert Test
ENG/VNG
Ocular
 Dix-Hallpike
Positional
Caloric
ROTATIONAL TESTING
Sinusoidal Harmonic Acceleration
Velocity Step Test
COMPUTERIZED DYNAMIC POSTUROGRAPHY
Motor Control Test
Sensory Organization Test
VESTIBULAR EVOKED MYOGENIC POTENTIALS

Due Friday October 31

Research Paper Assignment – 25%

Research a topic of your choice in the area of Vestibular

Rehabilitation. Choose a topic by September 19 and turn in to
me for approval.

Due Monday December 8

Anatomy Assignment - +/- 5 points

Meet with Dr. Gary Wright (Callier extension 3117). He will

set up two or three meetings to go over vestibular anatomy.

Textbook

Balance Function, Assessment and Management by Jacobson

and Shepard, Plural Publishing, 2008.

Read Chapter 4 in Audiology Diagnosis by Roeser, Valente

and Hosford-Dunn, Thieme Medical Publishers, 2007.