Do Lower Cervical Disc Herniations Cause Vertigo and Tinnitus?

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of lower cervical disc herniation on the cochleovestibular system. Materials and Methods: 40 patients with lower cervical disc herniation and 40 healthy individuals were included in the study. A patient demographic data form, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Cervical Evoked Myogenic Potentials (c-VEMP) Test, and Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) Test were applied to all participants. Tinnitus severity and frequency were evaluated in participants with tinnitus. Results: Of the patients diagnosed with lower cervical disc herniation, 23 (57.5%) had dizziness, and 19 (47.5%) had tinnitus. The tinnitus of the patients was found at a frequency of 6000 Hz and an intensity of 55 dB. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups both in terms of c-VEMP wave presence and in P1 latency and P1-N1 amplitude values (p<0.05). Conclusion: A positive correlation was found between lower cervical disc herniation and audiovestibular findings. The audiological evaluation of these patients, together with neurosurgical examination, is clinically important for the follow-up of the process.

Keywords

• lower cervical disc herniation
• vertigo
• tinnitus
• vestibular evoked myogenic potentials
• balance

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