vertical nystagmus

Etiology

• commonly congenital or acquired after prolonged periods of blindness
• central vertigo
  • cerebrovascular disease, especially vertebrobasilar stroke*
  • migraine-associated dizziness
  • postconcussion syndromes
  • neurodegenerative disorders
    • multiple sclerosis
    • acoustic neuroma (onset gradual, tinnitus, hearing loss)

* patients with cardiovascular risk factors

* especially with neurologic deficit, visual changes, or mental status changes

Clinical manifestations

• nystagmus in which the eye moves with equal speed in both directions

Radiology

• MRI of the brain if central vertigo supected

More general terms

• nystagmus