Neuroimaging of the Acute Vestibular Syndrome and Vascular Vertigo

The focus of this chapter is to provide a review of the main diagnostic imaging modalities utilized in the examination of peripheral and central acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be the two main modalities discussed. The chapter begins with a discussion of imaging of peripheral vestibulopathy associated with an AVS, followed by imaging of central lesions. The most common cause of a central lesion causing an AVS is by far cerebrovascular; thus, our secondary aim is to review the role of imaging in the evaluation of cerebrovascular lesions (vascular vertigo) associated with an acute AVS.