Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review

This review focuses on the contribution of medical imaging in the diagnosis of peripheral vestibular disorders. This is a narrative review based on a focused literature search conducted using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Imaging is not usually recommended in initial consultations for vestibular...

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Main Authors: Gabriela Cornelia Musat, Codrut Sarafoleanu, Mihai Alexandru Preda, Calin Petru Tataru, George G. Mitroi, Andreea Alexandra Mihaela Musat, Mihnea Radu, Ovidiu Musat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1272
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author Gabriela Cornelia Musat
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Mihai Alexandru Preda
Calin Petru Tataru
George G. Mitroi
Andreea Alexandra Mihaela Musat
Mihnea Radu
Ovidiu Musat
author_facet Gabriela Cornelia Musat
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Mihai Alexandru Preda
Calin Petru Tataru
George G. Mitroi
Andreea Alexandra Mihaela Musat
Mihnea Radu
Ovidiu Musat
author_sort Gabriela Cornelia Musat
collection DOAJ
description This review focuses on the contribution of medical imaging in the diagnosis of peripheral vestibular disorders. This is a narrative review based on a focused literature search conducted using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Imaging is not usually recommended in initial consultations for vestibular disorders because only 5–10% of MRI scans reveal findings directly related to the disease. The study is a review of the literature that highlights the utility and limitations of imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It follows the diagnostic approach from history and physical examination to laboratory tests and imaging. Some conditions like vestibular neuritis and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) have limited imaging utility due to the fine details required. Conversely, high-resolution CT and MRI are important for diagnosing Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, and superior canal dehiscence. The role of imaging varies a lot among specific conditions. Advances in imaging technology, particularly high-resolution MRI, promise enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
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spelling doaj-art-1b8abc1ddec34da0bf958a7d0ae539602025-08-20T02:33:55ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-05-011510127210.3390/diagnostics15101272Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative ReviewGabriela Cornelia Musat0Codrut Sarafoleanu1Mihai Alexandru Preda2Calin Petru Tataru3George G. Mitroi4Andreea Alexandra Mihaela Musat5Mihnea Radu6Ovidiu Musat7ENT Department, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaENT Department, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaENT Department, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of General Surgery, Clinical Hospital Colentina, 020125 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaThis review focuses on the contribution of medical imaging in the diagnosis of peripheral vestibular disorders. This is a narrative review based on a focused literature search conducted using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Imaging is not usually recommended in initial consultations for vestibular disorders because only 5–10% of MRI scans reveal findings directly related to the disease. The study is a review of the literature that highlights the utility and limitations of imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It follows the diagnostic approach from history and physical examination to laboratory tests and imaging. Some conditions like vestibular neuritis and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) have limited imaging utility due to the fine details required. Conversely, high-resolution CT and MRI are important for diagnosing Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, and superior canal dehiscence. The role of imaging varies a lot among specific conditions. Advances in imaging technology, particularly high-resolution MRI, promise enhanced diagnostic capabilities.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1272vestibular disordersvertigodizzinesscomputed tomographymagnetic resonance imagingMeniere’s disease
spellingShingle Gabriela Cornelia Musat
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Mihai Alexandru Preda
Calin Petru Tataru
George G. Mitroi
Andreea Alexandra Mihaela Musat
Mihnea Radu
Ovidiu Musat
Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
Diagnostics
vestibular disorders
vertigo
dizziness
computed tomography
magnetic resonance imaging
Meniere’s disease
title Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
title_full Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
title_short Utility and Challenges of Imaging in Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
title_sort utility and challenges of imaging in peripheral vestibular disorder diagnosis a narrative review
topic vestibular disorders
vertigo
dizziness
computed tomography
magnetic resonance imaging
Meniere’s disease
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1272
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