Vertigo MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zehra Malik, M.B.B.S[2]

An MRI is the first-line imaging if the cause of vertigo is suspected to be central in origin.

• MRI is superior to a CT scan due to its ability to visualize the posterior fossa.^[1]
• Neuroimaging should be conducted if vertigo is accompanied by new onset headache, neurological signs and symptoms, normal head impulse test and acute deafness.^[2]
• MRI can identify various causes of central vertigo^[3]:
  • Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
  • Caudal cerebellar infarcts
  • Cerebellar artery insufficiency
  • Subclavian steal syndrome
  • Cerebellopontine angle tumor