To the comfort of the patient, someone ailed with this disease may be able to lead a relatively normal life with vertiginous seizures. If, however, the seizures become too much to handle, antiepileptic medication can be administered as the first line of treatment. There are several different types of medication on the market to deter epileptic episodes but there is no support to show that one medication is more effective than another. In fact, research has shown that simple partial seizures do not usually respond well to medication, leaving the patient to self-manage their symptoms. A third option for treatment, used only in extreme cases when seizure symptoms disrupt daily life, is surgery wherein the surgeon will remove the epileptic region. Epidemiology
Vertiginous epilepsy onset can happen between the ages of 4–50, although typically symptoms will begin occurring in adolescence or young adulthood. Research studies have shown no inclination for this disease between sexes. History
Caloric reflex testing was developed and used for testing vestibular function of deaf children and in diagnosis of childhood vertigo. A man named Barany (1902) published the first monograph on vestibular nystagmus that recognized the clinical usefulness of caloric responses. Baranys theory of production of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in caloric testing remains as the accepted explanation along with the description of nystagmus created by rotation in both adults and infants. Baranys work would later influence a researcher named Galebsky that would help him conclude that semicircular canals were functional at birth for both calorization and rotation.
Epilepsies in the parietal and occipital lobes commonly propagate into the temporal lobe inducing a vertiginous state. This electrical propagation across the brain explains why so many different symptoms may be associated with the vertiginous seizure. The strength of the electrical signal and its direction of propagation in the brain will also determine which associated symptoms are noticeable. Diagnosis
The most important factor in diagnosing a patient with vertiginous epilepsy is the subject’s detailed description of the episode. However, due to the associated symptoms of the syndrome a subject may have difficulty remembering the specifics of the experience. This makes it difficult for a physician to confirm the diagnosis with absolute certainty. A questionnaire may be used to help patients, especially children, describe their symptoms. Clinicians may also consult family members for assistance in diagnosis, relying on their observations to help understand the episodes. In addition to the description of the event, neurological, physical and hematologic examinations are completed to assist in diagnosis. For proper diagnosis, an otological exam (examination of the ear) should also be completed to rule out disorders of the inner ear, which could also be responsible for manifestations of vertigo. This may include an audiological assessment and vestibular function test.