Cervical Torsion Test to Evaluate for Cervicogenic Vertigo or Dizziness

Описание: Transient dizziness or vertigo that occurs with head movements is often attributed to a vestibular problem like BPPV (   • Dix Hallpike Maneuver to Diagnose BPPV - W...  ). However, cervical spine problems that have nothing to do with the inner ear can also elicit vertigo attacks with head movements. Additional symptoms that suggest a cervicogenic source of dizziness instead of the inner ear include history of headache, neck pain, and limited cervical range of motion.

There are bedside tests which can further suggest the diagnosis of cervicogenic vertigo, especially if the Dix-Hallpike test (   • Dix Hallpike Maneuver to Diagnose BPPV - W...  ) for BPPV comes back normal. These tests require the head to be kept still to prevent any activation of the inner ear balance system. As such, any test movements that trigger dizziness is thus isolated to the cervical spine as the source of the vertigo.

The cervical torsion test is performed with the patient seated on a swivel chair with the hip and knees flexed to 90 degrees. The patient closes both eyes and the examiner fixates the patient's head in neutral position. The patient is then asked to actively rotate the body 45 to 90 degrees to one side and hold for 30 seconds. When returned to neutral position, the patient may open the eyes. The test is then repeated in the opposite direction, again with the eyes first closed.

The test is positive if the patient reports any dizziness and/or any other symptoms other than normal. Other symptoms include visual disturbances, speech disturbances, motion sickness, nausea, trouble swallowing, lightheadedness, tinnitus, headache and/or paresthesias during or immediately after the test.

The cervical torsion test can also be performed laying down with the head on a pillow. The patient closes both eyes and the examiner fixates the patient's head in neutral position. The patient is then asked to actively rotate the body 45 to 90 degrees to one side and hold for 30 seconds. When returned to neutral position, the patient may open the eyes. The test is then repeated in the opposite direction, again with the eyes first closed.

If cervicogenic vertigo is suspected, please see your healthcare professional for further treatment guidance. A neurologist or a spine specialist are the doctors who specialize in treating this condition. There are also home exercises that can be performed to treat cervicogenic vertigo, but should only be performed if there is no pain and no numbness present.

Please be aware that this test has a specificity of 98.5%. Sensitivity has not been determined yet which makes the clinical use of this test unknown at this time.

Other tests for cervicogenic vertigo:
• Head Neck Differentiation Test:    • Head Neck Differentiation to Check for Cer...  
• Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion Test:    • Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion Test to Check ...  

Home exercises for cervcigeic vertigo:    • Cervicogenic Vertigo or Dizziness - 10 Eas...  

• Intro (0:00)
• Sitting Cervical Torsion Test (0:50)
• Supine Cervical Torsion Test (1:42)
• Conclusion (2:11)

References:
Evaluation of paraclinical tests in the diagnosis of cervicogenic dizziness. Otology & neurotology, 35(10), 1858-1865. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25058...

Normative responses to clinical tests for cervicogenic dizziness: Clinical cervical torsion test and head-neck differentiation test. Physical Therapy, 100(1), 192-200. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31584...

Video created by Dr. Christopher Chang:
https://www.FauquierENT.net

Actor Credit:
MJ Gordon ‪@marinjayden‬
Certified Yoga Alliance Instructor (RYP500, RPYT, Yin)
Certified Fitness Instructor NCEP
https://www.MJ-Gordon.com

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