Case Study: Depersonalization and Vestibular Impairment

Background We describe herein the case of a patient whose primary complaints were episodic vertigo and "depersonalization," a sensation of detachment from his own body. Purpose This case study aims to further clinical knowledge and insight into the clinical evaluation of vertiginous patients with complaints of depersonalization. Research Design This is a case study. Data Collection and Analysis A retrospective chart review of vestibular function testing done on a vertiginous patient with complaints of depersonalization was performed. Results Vestibular function testing revealed absent cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials on the left side with normal vHIT or video Head Impulse Test, videonystagmography, and rotational chair results, suggesting peripheral vestibular impairment isolated to the left saccule and utricle. Conclusion The otolith end organ impairment explains the patient's postural deviation to the left side during attempts to ambulate. We recommend that clinicians should be attentive to patient complaints of depersonalization and perform vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing to determine whether evidence of at least a unilateral peripheral otolith end organ impairment exists.